Physiotherapy
is a branch of healthcare science, that mainly concentrates on the
physical aspects of an individual's healthcare, by treating their
physical ailments. It works towards this by maintenance and rehabilitation
of the individual's physical activity, which is nothing but bringing
back the lost activity to near normal perfection. Physiotherapist
uses physical agents for the treatment of patients. The following
list are the common physical agents used in physiotherapy.
General Info about Physiotherapy
Forms
of Energy |
Modalities
|
Heat Energy |
Heat Modalities |
Electrical Energy |
Electrical Appliances used
for the treatment |
Sound Energy |
Modality using sound energy
|
Light Energy |
Modalities using energy
in the form of light |
Electro-Magnetic Energy
|
Modality applying electro-magnetic
energy |
Branches of Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a complex speciality, as it deals with all disciplines
of medicine. Development in this field has resulted in a variety
of sub-specialization-.
- Musculo-skeletal physiotherapy
- Cardio-Thoracic physiotherapy
- Neurological physiotherapy
- Physiotherapy in Rehabilitation
- Physiotherapy in Obstetrics
- Sports physiotherapy
- Physiotherapy in Fitness
Musculo-skeletal physiotherapy
:
The Musculo - Skeletal Physiotherapy is a branch, where application
of physiotherapy is involved in the treatment of physical ailments
concerned with structures surrounding the joint region such as Bones,
Muscles, Ligaments and Bursa
Some of the conditions dealt in this branch are :
- Muscle pain, strain
- Muscle tear
- Joint stiffness
- Fractures
- Ligament strain, sprain, tear Inability to walk
- Inflammation of tendons and bursa
- Joint pain , poor posture
- Joint inflammation in case of osteoarthritis
or rheumatoid arthritis
Cardio-Thoracic Physiotherapy:
Cardio - Thoracic Physiotherapy, is concerned with the care of physical
fitness of the heart and lungs. This treatment specializes in clearing
away any chest secretions so as to enable an help an individual
to breath more normally and help in adequate oxygen supply to the
healing wound and the body.
Some of the conditions treated under this branch are :
- Asthma
- Increased chest secretions
- Other respiratory infections and conditions
- Any General surgery like
- Appendicectom
- Before and after Heart surgery
- Before and after the Lung surgery
- Intensive care unit care
Neurological Physiotherapy
Neurological Physiotherapy is concerned with the treatment arising
from the problems in brain, Nerves of the brain, Spinal cord and
nerves of the spinal cord. some of the conditions are :
- Stroke
- Paralysis
- Balance disorder
- Spinal cord injury
- After a brain surgery
- All nerve injuries
Physiotherapy in Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation goes hand in hand. Rehabilitation
is nothing but bringing back a physically disabled individual to
near normal condition by using his maximum existing capacities.
Rehabilitation in physiotherapy involves training and retraining
of physical activity in a physically disabled individual.
Different types of rehabilitation
where physiotherapy is involved:
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Geriatric/Old age Rehabilitation
- Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Amputee (person who has lost the limb) Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy in Obstetrics
Physiotherapy in obstetrics is concerned with postural care and
physical fitness of women during pregnancy and after child birth
.
Sports Physiotherapy
Sports physiotherapy is specialized for sports persons. Guidance
in sport activities like techniques of warming up period, cooling
down period, guidance in lifting techniques and also treatment of
sport injuries are dealt.
Some of the conditions under this
are
- Any Muscle spasm (pain and tightness of muscle)
- Muscle strain
- Ligament sprain, tear
- All other sport injury
Physiotherapy in fitness and
postural care
This branch is concerned with guidance and care for physical fitness,
good postural care and Body muscle built.
Some of the conditions dealt are :
- Obesity / Over weight
- Poor Posture (Hunch back)
- Good muscle built
Paediatric Physiotherapy
This branch of physiotherapy treatment is for the children born
with physical disabilities and also for the children undergoing
any surgery, requiring physiotherapy care are dealt here.
Some of the conditions dealt here
are :
- Club foot Before and after a surgery (In case
of congenital heart disease)
- Respiratory infections
- Fractures in children
- Cerebral palsy (brain disorder affecting movement)
Manual methods of treatment
- Massage
- Joint mobilisation
- Manual stretching
- Therapeutic exercises
- Sporting and lifting techniques
- Taping
- Bandaging
- Strapping
- Postural drainage
- Aerobics and fitness guidance
Non-manual methods of treatment
- Short wave diathermy
- Microwave diathermy
- Ultrasound
- Interferential therapy
- Wax bath
- Cryotherapy
- Hydrotherapy
- Electrical stimulation
- LASER Therapy
- Infrared rays
- Contrast bath
- Hot packs
- Ultra violet rays
Traction
Physiotherapists practice in hospitals, clinics, and private offices
that have specially equipped facilities, or they treat patients
in hospital rooms, homes, or schools. |
