What is Physiotherapy?

-

  After surgery, many patients attend physiotherapy sessions to regain mobility in a specific part of their body. From personal experience, my father had surgery on his left knee, and he went to physiotherapy. After two years of hard work, my father regained almost a full range of motion in his left knee. When people think of physiotherapy, they often think of basic exercises that improve ordinary movements. However, physiotherapy is far more complex than that. 

General Information


         Physiotherapy not only focuses on helping patients get mobility but also focuses on relieving any pain that patients feel. Physiotherapists often use manual therapy, a physical therapy used to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability, to manipulate, mobilize, and massage the body tissues to increase blood flow to specific muscles or relax overworked muscles.

    To an ordinary person, exercise is "a subset of physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive and has as a final or an intermediate objective the improvement or maintenance of physical fitness" (Caspersen et al. 1985). There are two classifications of exercise: exercises based on muscle contraction and exercises based on energy sources. A further subclassification based on muscle contractions is isotonic, isometric, and isokinetic exercises. Isotonic exercises require muscles to resist weight over a range of motion, and this causes a change in the muscle length. Isometric exercises involve the contraction of muscles without any movement in the surrounding joints. Putting tension on the muscles is how to perform these exercises. An example of an isometric exercise is the plank. Isokinetic exercises use machines to help the patient regain ROM in certain areas. For example, a cycling machine is an example of isokinetic exercise.

       There are different types of treatments that physiotherapists give patients: Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises, Electrotherapy, Kinesio-Taping, Dry Needling, Therapeutic Ultrasound, Thermo and Cryotherapy, Therapeutic Massage, and Exercise. Physiotherapists do not use all of these treatments.

        The first form of treatment is ROM Exercise, the most common treatment administered by physiotherapists. ROM Exercises promote movement in the injured joints and tissues to help the body heal. These exercises help prevent muscular atrophy, the condition in which muscle wastes and decreases in size. Some examples of ROM exercises are Ankle Pops, Heel Slides, Abduction/Adduction of Hips, and Long Arc Quads.  

The second form of treatment is Electrotherapy. Electrotherapy is a treatment that uses electricity to help patients prevent muscular atrophy, increase movement, and handle pain. This therapy is also used "in conjunction with other treatments, such as ultrasound and massage" (Ace Sports Clinic, 2022). Through the use of electrode pads, electrical pulses go to the muscle, and this causes the muscles to contract and expand independently.

    The third form of treatment is Kinesio-Taping, which was discovered in the 1970s by Dr. Kenzo Kase. This treatment is mostly given to athletes who suffer from a physical injury. Kinesio-taping offers a wide range of potential benefit to injured joints and tissues: pain alleviation, joint and muscle support, improved healing in soft tissue, reduced muscle fatigue and soreness, and enhanced healing. This method of treatment is constantly being refined by advancements in the development of new textiles and compounds. Kinesio-tape helps stabilize "the injured area by lightly adhering to the skin and applying pressure to the tissues the tape is wrapped around" (Orthopaedic Associates, 2018).

The fourth form of treatment is Dry-needling, which is very similar to acupuncture. Dry-needling uses "a thin filament needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points. These active trigger points can cause local and referred pain, headaches, tension, and ‘sciatica’ type symptoms" (Ace Sports Clinic, 2022). The trigger points stimulate muscles, which either contract or expand. This treatment is effective when treating muscle stress and tension.

The fifth form of treatment is Therapeutic Ultrasound, which uses sound frequencies to penetrate deep into the body from the skin surface. This treatment is slightly controversial, but it is still an effective method to treat bone injuries.

The sixth treatment is thermo and cryotherapy, which uses heat or cold to change the temperature of the soft tissues to treat the symptoms of certain conditions. Physiotherapists use this treatment to treat musculoskeletal conditions and soft tissue injuries. The use of ice or heat as a treatment helps decrease pain in joints, muscles, and soft tissues. Ice and heat have the opposite effects on tissue metabolism, blood flow, inflammation, edema, and connective tissue extensibility. This treatment can be done at home also. 

The last form of treatment is Therapeutic massage. Therapeutic massage, also called soft tissue mobilization (STM), is an excellent treatment to help treat chronic pain and improve recovery post-injury. Therapeutic massage helps to loosen and relax tight, sore muscles. It also stimulates blood flow to the affected areas and reduces swelling around the inflamed joints. Massage therapy also helps people cope with stress and tension. When cortisol levels decrease, the body focuses on healing and maintaining a balanced system.

My Experience

For almost a month, I observed a physiotherapist. I  learned that the best treatments are often therapeutic massage and exercise. Improving the range of motion or alleviating pain is the primary goal for physiotherapists. The physiotherapist whom I observed did not use many of these procedures. He only used ROM exercises, Dry-needling, and Kinesio-taping. Many patients I have seen are elderly, and a few young patients came to physiotherapy due to athletic injuries. For almost all of these patients, the treatment was the same: ROM exercise and Therapeutic massage. For all the patients, the treatments were very effective at providing patient comfort. 

In conclusion, there is more to physiotherapy than what meets the eye. This observation is not only valid for physiotherapy but also for anything in life. Physiotherapy is a field that will always exist because, after surgery, most patients go to physiotherapy. As people age, they develop certain conditions which only physiotherapists can treat.  

Sources/Bibliography

Asc-Ca. (2022b, August 11). Common physiotherapy treatments for healing & wellbeing. Ace Sports Clinic. https://www.acesportsclinic.com.au/blog/the-most-common-physiotherapy-treatments-for-healing-wellbeing/

Clearlight Infrared Saunas. (2021, June 24). Thermotherapy & Cryotherapy: Hot & Cold Therapy Benefits. Clearlight Infrared Saunas. https://infraredsauna.com/blog/thermotherapy-cryotherapy-benefits/

Dhameliya, N. (2023, May 13). Range of motion of Body Joint and Physiotherapy Exercise. Samarpan Physiotherapy Clinic. https://samarpanphysioclinic.com/range-of-motion-of-all-joints/

Digital, J. (2021, July 1). Side effects of electrotherapy: Physiotherapy. Johari Digital Healthcare Ltd. https://www.joharidigital.com/side-effects-of-electrotherapy/

Guardian News and Media. (2017a, July 24). Whole-body cryotherapy: What are the cold hard facts?. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jul/24/whole-body-cryotherapy-what-are-cold-facts

Kinesio taping & Therapeutic taping. Physical Therapists NYC. (2023, January 24). https://www.physicaltherapistsnyc.com/physical-therapy-techniques/kinesio-tape-therapy/

professional, C. C. medical. (n.d.). What is dry needling?. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16542-dry-needling

Team, W. (2023, January 27). Why you should try medical or therapeutic massage. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/therapeutic-massage-can-great-addition-treatment/

Therapeutic ultrasound. Recharge Sports Injury Center - Modern Chiropractic Care. (n.d.). https://rechargesportsinjury.com/therapeutic-ultrasound

Thermotherapy. Physiopedia. (n.d.). https://www.physio-pedia.com/Thermotherapy

Vera, C. (2019, November 8). Benefits of kinesiology tape. Orthopedics Associates. https://www.oaidocs.com/2018/09/14/benefits-of-kinesiology-tape/#:~:text=Kinesiology%20tape%20stabilizes%20the%20injured,the%20tape%20is%20wrapped%20around.

What do physiotherapist assistants do?. triOS College. (2023, April 6). https://www.trios.com/blog/what-do-physiotherapist-assistants-do/

What is manual therapy? - rock valley. Rock Valley Physical Therapy. (2022, December 8). https://www.rockvalleypt.com/what-is-manual-therapy/#:~:text=Manual%20therapy%20is%20a%20specialized,assistance%20of%20devices%20or%20machines.

Zawacki, A. (2022, August 29). How to do active range of motion exercises. Carrington College. https://carrington.edu/blog/active-range-motion-exercises/ 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Understanding Orthopedic Conditions: Common Ailments and Medications

-
Orthopedic surgeons are specialized doctors who diagnose, treat, and manage musculoskeletal system conditions. This includes bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Here’s a look at 15 common medical conditions that orthopedic surgeons frequently treat and the medications commonly used in their management. 1. Osteoarthritis Ibuprofen : Reduces inflammation and pain. Acetaminophen : Alleviates pain without anti-inflammatory effects. Naproxen : Decreases inflammation and pain. Celecoxib (Celebrex) : Targets COX-2 enzyme to reduce inflammation and pain. Duloxetine (Cymbalta) : An antidepressant also used to manage chronic pain. 2. Rheumatoid Arthritis Methotrexate : A DMARD that slows disease progression and reduces joint damage. Adalimumab (Humira) : A biologic that targets TNF-alpha to reduce inflammation. Sulfasalazine : A DMARD that decreases inflammation. Etanercept (Enbrel) : A biologic that blocks TNF, reducing inflammation and halting disease progression. Leflunomide (Arav...
Read more

Unraveling the Complement System: A Key Defender in the Immune Response

-
The human immune system is an intricate network designed to defend the body against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Among its many components, the complement system stands out as a crucial part of innate immunity. This sophisticated system of proteins works together to identify, attack, and eliminate invaders, playing a significant role in maintaining our health. In this blog post, we will explore the complement system, its pathways, and its importance in the immune response. What is the Complement System? The complement system consists of a series of proteins that circulate in the blood and tissue fluids. These proteins, produced primarily by the liver, work in a cascade manner, meaning that the activation of one protein triggers the activation of the next. This system complements the work of antibodies and phagocytic cells in clearing pathogens from an organism. Key Functions of the Complement System Opsonization : Enhancing the ability of phagocytes to engulf pathoge...
Read more

Understanding the Kinin System: A Key Player in Inflammation and Pain

-
The human body is a complex network of systems working in harmony to maintain health and respond to injuries. Among these systems, the kinin system plays a pivotal role in inflammation, pain regulation, and blood pressure control. While it may not be as well-known as other bodily systems, the kinin system's functions are crucial to our body's response to injury and infection. What is the Kinin System? The kinin system is a biochemical cascade that produces peptides known as kinins. The most well-known kinins are bradykinin and kallidin. These peptides are produced through the action of enzymes called kallikreins, which cleave kininogen precursors to release active kinins. Key Components of the Kinin System Kallikreins : These are enzymes that exist in various tissues and fluids within the body. They are responsible for cleaving kininogens to release kinins. Kininogens : These are precursor proteins that circulate in the bloodstream. When cleaved by kallikreins, they release act...
Read more