What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a rehabilitation process performed to prevent a person from the risk of physical disability due to injury or illness. This therapy is not only suitable for adults or the elderly; it can also be applied to children who need it.
This therapy is beneficial for health. So, what ailments is physiotherapy used for?
Physiotherapy can help to improve movement, reduce pain and stiffness, speed up the healing process, and improve quality of life.
This way, symptoms of illness or health problems can be reduced and improved. This therapy can be done through physical exercise, manual therapy, and education and treatment advice.
Types of Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy has evolved into several types, allowing doctors to treat conditions more effectively and precisely. Here are some types of physiotherapy and their uses:
1. Nerve physiotherapy
Neurological conditions cause excessive muscle weakness, loss of balance and coordination, muscle spasms, tremors, loss of function, and decreased sensation.
Neurological physiotherapy aims to restore mobility and treat functional disorders originating from the nervous and neuromuscular systems.
Such as stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, sciatica, aneurysm, and Parkinson’s disease.
2. Orthopedic/musculoskeletal physiotherapy
This type of therapy deals with the correction of deformities and treatment of diseases related to the human musculoskeletal system.
Some conditions that can be treated with this type of therapy include repairing muscles, ligaments, bones , joints, and tendons. The main goals of treatment are to reduce pain, improve mobility, and repair bone injuries.
3. Cardiopulmonary physiotherapy
People with cardiopulmonary disorders, such as cardiac arrest and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, can benefit from this type of therapy.
Therapists working at cardiac rehabilitation centers will teach patients about specific forms of exercise and resistance training techniques, which can help patients improve their overall quality of life.
4. Pediatric physiotherapy
This type of therapy aims to correct acute injuries, birth defects, delayed physical growth, or certain genetic defects such as cerebral palsy (a condition that limits overall movement and coordination).
The therapist will use various therapeutic exercises on the child, which can help strengthen the affected area.
Therefore, proper and comprehensive range of motion can be increased in problem areas.
5. Geriatric physiotherapy
This type of therapy can treat certain age-related medical conditions, such as arthritis (joint pain) and osteoporosis (brittle bones).
The therapist will guide the elderly about limiting certain movements that can aggravate pain, providing walking aids to improve mobility, and minimizing pain by using techniques and exercises.
Goals of Physiotherapy
The main goal is to restore body function and movement after injury or illness.
If someone experiences a permanent injury or illness, you can do physiotherapy to reduce the impact.
This medical procedure is often performed on people who suffer from joint injuries , arthritis, osteoporosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, back and flexibility problems, incontinence, neck pain, headaches, as well as musculoskeletal disorders and multiple sclerosis.
Benefits of Physiotherapy
Here are some of the benefits of undergoing physiotherapy in several conditions:
- Eliminate or reduce pain.
- Helps avoid surgical procedures.
- Improves overall strength and coordination.
- Reduce drug dependence.
- Improves cardiovascular function and lung capacity.
- Managing and preventing sports-related injuries.
- Maintaining fitness at all ages.
- Managing heart conditions and diabetes.
- Facilitates pregnancy and postpartum care.
- Improve mental health.
Side Effects of Physiotherapy
In some cases, physiotherapy can also cause side effects such as:
1. Side effects of exercise programs
Be sure to follow the exercise program as directed by your therapist. Do it slowly to prevent side effects, such as muscle soreness and fatigue.
Muscle fatigue can cause you to feel a tingling sensation during a training session. Muscle soreness is discomfort experienced during and after training.
2. Side effects of occupational therapy
This therapy can cause side effects such as swelling at the treatment site. This can occur during the procedure as the body’s response to the treatment.
You can ask your therapist to deal with these side effects after therapy.
3. Side effects of electrotherapy
This therapy technique can cause the treated area to become softer and experience less swelling. You can also ask your therapist about managing these side effects.
Forms of Physiotherapy Treatment
There are several forms of physiotherapy treatment that you can do, such as:
1. Training program
In addition to providing advice, physiotherapists also provide exercise programs for patients who need physical activity. This includes teaching appropriate sports or activities.
By performing this form of physiotherapy treatment, the therapist can teach proper exercise techniques, movements to strengthen muscles, and proper stretching.
2. Manual therapy
The therapist will use their hands to perform massage related to physiotherapy. This therapy can help to:
- Relieves pain.
- Overcoming body stiffness.
- Improves blood circulation.
- Promotes relaxation.
There are several other types of manual therapy that you can get when doing physiotherapy, such as:
- Cyriax. A system of examinations and interventions aimed at non-surgical treatment of fatty tissue lesions.
- Levit manual therapy. This technique involves focused exercises on the spine and peripheral joints.
- Kaltenborn-Evjenth manual therapy approach. This treatment method uses post-isometric relaxation for the spine and joint areas.
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Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy is one of the treatments available during physiotherapy. The goal is to enable the individual to carry out daily activities without disruption.
There are several types of occupational therapy, such as:
- Acupuncture . This technique uses fine needles inserted into specific areas to address health concerns.
- Hydrotherapy . This technique is performed using water, for example in a pool, to address a patient’s health concerns. Hydrotherapy is believed to reduce joint pain and aid post-exercise recovery.
- Temperature therapy . This therapy uses hot or cold temperatures to help improve circulation and blood flow to the affected area.
- Ultrasound therapy . This therapy uses high-frequency sound waves to stimulate the tissue beneath the skin.
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Electrotherapy techniques
Here are several other types of therapy that can be used as treatment in physiotherapy, namely:
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). TENS physiotherapy is a small device that delivers electrical current to the affected area, reducing pain.
- Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PENS) . PENS typically uses needles to deliver electricity. This physiotherapy device can relieve knee pain and improve sleep quality.
Physiotherapy Based on Treatment Goals
Physiotherapy is a medical field that focuses on restoring physical function and improving the quality of life of patients through various therapeutic methods.
Based on the treatment targets, physiotherapy is divided into two main fields, namely neurological physiotherapy and orthopedic physiotherapy.
1. Neurological Physiotherapy
Neurological physiotherapy treats disorders of the nervous system that affect movement and body function.
Specific conditions treated include:
- Stroke: Loss of motor or sensory function due to impaired blood flow to the brain. Therapy aims to restore muscle strength, coordination, and balance.
- Traumatic Brain Injury: Brain damage caused by impact or trauma that results in impaired cognitive and motor function. Physiotherapy helps restore movement and daily function.
- Multiple Sclerosis: An autoimmune disease that damages nerve sheaths, causing muscle weakness and coordination problems. Therapy focuses on improving mobility and managing symptoms.
- Parkinson’s disease: A neurodegenerative disorder that causes tremors, muscle stiffness, and difficulty moving. Physiotherapy aims to improve balance, posture, and walking ability.
Neurological physiotherapy procedures offer results that can improve patients’ quality of life in the form of increased muscle strength and flexibility, improved balance, and restoration of functional ability for daily activities.
2. Orthopedic Physiotherapy
In contrast to neurological physiotherapy, orthopedic physiotherapy focuses on the treatment of injuries or disorders related to the musculoskeletal system, including bones, muscles, and joints.
Specific conditions treated by orthopedic physiotherapy include:
- Fracture: A condition in which a bone is cracked or broken. Therapy helps restore strength and function after the bone heals.
- Ligament Injury: Damage to the tissue that connects bones, such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the knee. Physiotherapy aims to restore joint stability and function.
- Osteoarthritis: Joint inflammation that causes pain and stiffness. Therapy focuses on reducing pain, increasing mobility, and strengthening the muscles around the joint.
- Lower Back Pain: Discomfort or pain in the lower back can be caused by a variety of factors. Physiotherapy helps reduce pain and improve flexibility.
Orthopedic physiotherapy helps patients improve their ability to perform physical activities and sports, by reducing pain and inflammation, increasing range of motion and flexibility, and restoring muscle and joint strength.
Physiotherapy plays a vital role in the recovery process of various medical conditions, helping patients achieve optimal levels of function and improving their quality of life.
Conditions Requiring Physiotherapy
This therapy can help people of all ages with a variety of health conditions, such as:
1. Muscle and bone disorders
Various orthopedic conditions require this therapy, including back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, lower back pain, and pelvic pain.
2. Nervous system disorders
Diseases affecting the nervous system often make it difficult for sufferers to perform daily activities. This condition can be improved with regular physiotherapy.
Some symptoms of neurological diseases can also improve with this therapy, such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, vertigo.
3. Autoimmune
Several autoimmune diseases improve with this therapy, such as fibromyalgia, Raynaud’s syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis .
4. Cardiovascular disease
Heart problems sometimes require physiotherapy to improve symptoms. This therapy can help people with heart problems achieve a better quality of life.
5. Chronic disease
These diseases can improve with therapy, ranging from asthma, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure.
6. After undergoing major surgery
Major surgery can cause several side effects on your health. Physiotherapy may be one of the treatments you’ll need after undergoing major surgery.
There are several benefits that can be felt when doing physiotherapy after major surgery, such as:
- Managing pain.
- Stretching to restore body movement.
- Improves balance and posture.
- Helps improve blood circulation in the body.
- Helps the ability to perform daily activities.
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Experience decreased body flexibility
If you have difficulty moving due to certain diseases, physiotherapy is a treatment you can choose to optimize your body’s movement ability and flexibility.
In addition, this treatment can also help you gradually increase muscle strength so that your body can move optimally again.
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Respiratory disorders
Chest physiotherapy is a type of physiotherapy that can treat respiratory disorders. It not only helps clear the airways but also optimizes the health of people with lung disorders to prevent fatigue.
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Physiotherapy for children
Physiotherapy is also beneficial for children with a variety of conditions, such as:
- Delayed motor development.
- Cerebral palsy.
- Spina bifida.
- Torticollis (stiff neck).
- Genetic conditions such as Down syndrome.
Physiotherapy in children aims to improve motor skills, strength, coordination, and independence.
Before Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy procedures will elicit different responses depending on body shape, movement patterns, and behavioral patterns. Tell your doctor about any medications, supplements, and herbal products you are currently taking before undergoing therapy.
Before the physiotherapy procedure takes place, a physical medicine specialist will first examine and assess the patient’s condition to determine the therapy program he or she needs.
Patients also need to discuss with their doctor the goals, benefits, risks, and expected end results of the program before physiotherapy begins.
Wear loose-fitting clothing to allow the doctor more freedom to examine you. Also, adjust your clothing to make it easier for the doctor to examine you.
For example, wear short-sleeved or sleeveless shirts if you have neck pain, or wear shorts if you have hip, knee, or ankle pain.
Physiotherapy Frequency and Guidelines
Physiotherapy is a therapy method that helps restore body function, and its frequency and duration can vary depending on the patient’s medical condition, severity, and recovery goals.
The following is the ideal frequency of physiotherapy:
1. For Acute Conditions
For acute conditions, such as sports injuries or new muscle soreness, physiotherapy sessions are usually conducted 2-3 times per week for the first few weeks.
This frequency helps reduce pain, reduce inflammation, and speed up early recovery.
2. For Chronic Conditions or Post-operative Rehabilitation
In chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, post-joint replacement surgery, or post-stroke recovery, physiotherapy sessions may be performed 1-2 times per week for several months.
This process aims to gradually improve physical function.
In addition to in-clinic sessions, patients are usually encouraged to do additional exercises at home daily or several times a week. These exercises aim to reinforce the results of the main therapy sessions.
A physiotherapy session typically lasts 30-60 minutes. This time is used for various techniques, such as:
- Stretching
- Strengthening exercises
- Manual therapy, such as massage or joint mobilization
- Use of therapeutic devices, such as ultrasound or electrical stimulation
The total duration of a physiotherapy program can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on the patient’s rate of progress.
In addition, physiotherapy procedures must always be guided by a professional, namely a certified physiotherapist.
They will evaluate the patient’s condition, develop a customized therapy plan, and provide guidance during the session.
Physiotherapy procedures can also be performed at home, especially for patients who experience mobility difficulties, such as post-stroke or the elderly.
A physiotherapist can come to your home to provide therapy. Furthermore, patients can be provided with a self-paced home exercise program with clear instructions.
However, it is important to ensure that the patient follows the guidance of the physiotherapist to avoid mistakes in the exercises, which can worsen the condition.
If needed, some portable therapy tools, such as exercise balls or resistance bands, can be used at home.
Physiotherapy Procedures
The number of sessions you need to do depends on your program plan and the physiotherapy techniques you use.
However, therapy generally lasts 30–60 minutes per session. The frequency and duration of physiotherapy sessions may vary depending on the results of the previous session.
There are three main approaches in physiotherapy:
1. Manual therapy
It is implemented using the hands of a physiotherapist to help move, massage, and manipulate affected body tissues.
The benefits of this therapy are increasing the body’s range of motion, improving blood flow, relieving pain, and providing a relaxing sensation to the body.
2. Exercise and movement
This approach uses tools (such as sticks) or you can do it in water (hydrotherapy).
A therapist will assist with physiotherapy sessions and teach sufferers exercise movements that you can do at home.
Perform the movements taught regularly, but make sure you do these movements safely and under supervision.
3. Education and advice
This approach involves introducing a healthy lifestyle (such as maintaining ideal body weight and regular exercise ), as well as providing advice on correct body position during activities to reduce the risk of injury and pain.
In addition to the three main approaches above, physiotherapy also has other techniques to help the healing process, one of which is the Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) technique.
This technique works by sending electrical signals to the area experiencing pain.
You can also use ultrasound therapy because it uses high-frequency waves to reduce pain, tension, and speed up the recovery process.
After Physiotherapy
Contact a specialist doctor to see the progress and evaluate the program that has been carried out.
Continue to apply the suggestions and exercises that can be done at home to improve the function of injured or sick body parts.
The goal is to prevent recurrence and complications from injury.
Places to Do Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy can be performed in hospitals, clinics, or other formal healthcare facilities. Before undergoing treatment, be sure to consult a doctor first.
Doctors can also provide referrals or recommendations for the best places to do physiotherapy.
When Should You See a Physiotherapist?
Consider seeing a physiotherapist if you experience:
- Pain that interferes with daily activities.
- Limited movement or difficulty performing physical activities.
- Injuries due to sports or accidents.
- Medical conditions that affect movement and physical function.
- Chronic pain that does not improve with other treatments.
Consulting with a doctor can help determine whether physiotherapy is the right choice for your condition.
How Much Does Physiotherapy Cost?
Physiotherapy costs vary depending on several factors, such as:
- Types of physiotherapy services.
- Duration of therapy.
- Location of the clinic or service provider.
- Physiotherapist qualifications.
Conclusion
Physiotherapy is an essential healthcare service for restoring bodily function and improving quality of life. If you’re experiencing movement or physical function impairments, don’t hesitate to consult a physiotherapist. With proper treatment, you can return to your activities comfortably and optimally.
