What Does Physiotherapy Comprise of?

By Dr Adnan Siddiq

Physiotherapy is a very vital component of both patient care and treatment; therefore it has certain components as well as specific protocols to follow. According to American Physical Therapy, good physiotherapy includes the following:

• Examination of subjects with physical impairment, functional limitation, disability or some disease process in order to establish diagnosis, prognosis and intervention.
• Researching and designing appropriate therapy in order to alleviate impaired function and physical limitation.
• Prevention of future impairments and disabilities by maintaining fitness and well being through continuous physical therapy on long term basis.
• A continuous and concentrated approach towards research, providing education to the patients regarding their fitness and well being along with emphasis on consultation.

WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT FROM OUR PHYSIOTHERAPIST?

As patients, we can expect from our physiotherapist to provide us the following:

• A proper and complete physical examination supported with proper and relevant laboratory tests, in order to correctly diagnose the inciting problem.
• A proper evaluation system involving not just the physiotherapist, but sometimes also referral to doctors for further examination and tests.
• Determination of a prognosis according to the physical examination necessary tests.
• Alleviating impairment and providing any necessary rehabilitation.
• Assessment of the patient after different types of physical therapy provided.
• Proper cessation of treatment procedures after complete or satisfactory recovery.
• Prevention of future injuries and after effects of previous injuries due to stress and over exertion.
• Education about individual's condition and continuous consultation plans and screening visits.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PHYSIOTHERAPY?

Types of physiotherapy can be based on the type of specialty department in which the physio is performed, or based on type of physical therapy applied:

According to department specialty:

• Pediatric physiotherapy.
• Geriatric physiotherapy.
• Orthopedic physiotherapy.
• Neurological physiotherapy.
• Cardio-pulmonary physiotherapy.

According to therapy applied:

• Heat application.
• Cold application (ice packing).
• Hydrotherapy (using water to reduce joint weight).
• Ultrasound therapy.
• Electrical stimulation.
• Acupuncture.
• Manual therapy (Message, Manipulation, Mobilization).
• Exercises (strengthening work outs).

Dr Adnan Siddiq is writes for The Pain Relief Practice, a Physiotherapy practice in Singapore that provides physical therapy. For more of his health articles, or treatment by physiotherapists, please visit PainRelief.sg.

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