physiotherapy is the older term for physiotherapy and deals with the healing of impairments and disabilities of mobility and functionality of the musculoskeletal system. In many cases, physiotherapy is used alongside or in conjunction with other medical treatments.
What is physiotherapy
The physiotherapy uses physical principles to promote, maintain and restore physical, mental and social well-being, taking changes in the state of health into account.
As a scientifically founded healing method, physiotherapy is interested in checking and underpinning these methods of treatment in order to further improve their practical application. The physiotherapists trained in physiotherapy work with a variety of physical problems, which mainly affect the neuromuscular system as well as the muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Diagnostic and clinical findings as well as the therapists' individual skills are used for this purpose. With the addition of various physical stimuli, a coordinated muscle activity is to be brought about by means of physiotherapy with the conscious awareness of the patient.
Function, effect & goals
The treatment methods of the physiotherapy are linked to the individual abilities of the patient. This concerns on the one hand the physiological and anatomical requirements for stimulating the self-healing powers of the organism. On the other hand, the motivation and cognitive skills of the person to be treated play an important role for the successful use of physiotherapy, as an understanding of how the body works and personal responsibility should be promoted.
In physiotherapy, various techniques of functional exercise come into play, which favor the mobility of joints and muscles. These include Vojtatherapy, Bobath, manual therapy, Brügger therapy, massages, manual lymphatic drainage or foot reflex massages.
Passive physiotherapy measures such as heat applications with fango, cold applications, electrotherapy or traction of the body of bedridden patients have a mobilizing effect. Acute pain conditions are often caused by poor posture. Here postural gymnastics brings about a targeted strengthening of weakened muscles.
In fact, lung and asthma sufferers can also be cared for with special breathing exercises. Here, the relaxation of the respiratory muscles is trained by means of physiotherapy. In everyday clinical practice, physiotherapy is used to treat paralysis by repeating movement patterns in order to reactivate skills that have been deleted in the brain. Areas of application for physiotherapy are predominantly the outpatient treatment of spinal column and joint problems, accidents and sports injuries.
In the care of the elderly, physiotherapy also includes exercises to maintain mobility, rehabilitation after falls, and the treatment of arthritis or Parkinson's disease. Physiotherapy is increasingly being integrated into the field of home nursing. Orthopedics and trauma surgery also benefit from physiotherapy measures. This concerns, for example, the restoration of mobility after hip, knee or spine operations.
Physiotherapy conveys knowledge about relaxation methods or body awareness through various courses and helps to increase self-confidence and self-esteem.Seminars for back training, ergonomics or stomach-legs-buttocks are just a tiny extract from the wide range of physiotherapy. Since the modern world of work increasingly takes the well-being of employees into account, the use of physiotherapy in companies is increasing.
Mobile massages or instruction in simple exercises help to cope with everyday office life or physically difficult work. A classic area of application of physiotherapy is the treatment of injuries of active athletes as well as advice on how to perform correct fitness exercises to avoid repetitive injuries.
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➔ Medicines against tension and muscle painRisks & dangers
The effectiveness of physiotherapy is mainly determined by the professional competence of the therapist. Observing contraindications and precautionary measures can reduce the risks and side effects in physiotherapy to a low level.
Basically nothing should be eaten about two hours before sporting activities. Overweight people are at risk of overstressing their joints when they practice unsuitable sports. The healing of acute inflammatory processes in the body should also not be additionally burdened by physiotherapy.
This also applies to diseases that limit cardiac or respiratory performance, severe high blood pressure or severe hyperthyroidism. Physiotherapy is not recommended in extreme outside temperatures and high ozone levels. During treatment with physiotherapy, muscle soreness and smaller yellowish spots can occur. These can indicate that metabolic end products have been released from the muscle metabolism and are being broken down.
