PHYSIOTHERAPY

Patients experiencing from mobility dysfunctions/problems may be suffering pain, muscle weakness, balance problem, or movement incoordination ,often benefit from physiotherapists.

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that assesses, diagnoses, treats, and helps in the prevention of diseases/disabilities in people and helping them to achieve optimal functional independence and physical performance as long as possible, through a physical intervention such as exercise, manual therapy, electrotherapy, education and advice.

In physiotherapy practice, a thorough assessment is performed to determine impairment and establish the disability (functional limitations) resulting from the impairment, and the impacts of these on the quality of life. After the completion of a comprehensive assessment, a treatment programme is designed to achieve some physiotherapy goals with the patients.

Physiological changes with corresponding functional limitation take place within the human body for different reasons-ageing process,  overuse, disuse, sedentary lifestyle and diseased conditions. Whatever be the causes the functional restriction, the significance of physiotherapy has been well acknowledged and accepted as a plan of treatment in making a body work efficiently. Consistency in performing physiotherapy exercises is imperative to get the desired results.

Physiotherapists may use different treatment methods which can be:

• exercise programs to improve mobility and strengthen muscles
• joint manipulation and mobilisation to reduce pain and stiffness
• muscle re-education to improve control
• airway clearance techniques and breathing exercises
• soft tissue mobilisation (massage)
• acupuncture
• electrotherapy
• hydrotherapy
• assistance with use of aids, splints, crutches, walking sticks and wheelchairs.

Physiotherapists improve clients’ quality of life by:

• Promoting optimal mobility, physical activity and overall health and wellness;
• Preventing disease, injury, and disability;
• Managing acute and chronic conditions, activity limitations, and participation restrictions;
• Improving and maintaining optimal functional independence and physical performance;
• Rehabilitating injury and the effects of disease or disability with therapeutic exercise programs and other interventions; and
• Educating and planning maintenance and support programs to prevent re-occurrence, re-injury or functional decline.