What is Physiotherapy ?
The general public has a lot of misconceptions about physical therapy. We're here today to talk about the same subject. Similar to how each feline in the medical field has an expertise, physiotherapists are specialists in specific body movements. You can speak with a physiotherapist about anything pertaining to your movement.
Why physiotherapy?
Through a variety of treatment approaches, they assist people in regaining their mobility, improving their physical function, and recovering from pain. To treat ailments such as musculoskeletal injuries, neurological diseases, respiratory problems, and post-surgical rehabilitation, these may involve manual therapy, exercise regimens, and other modalities. By encouraging physical health and well-being, increasing mobility, and lowering pain, physiotherapists help individuals of all ages live better lives. They have received training in evaluating the body's movement patterns and creating individualised treatment programs to meet particular requirements and objectives.
Physiotherapists help in reduction of pain with the use of manual therapy, modalities like heat, cold, electrical stimulation, and various strengthening &stretching exercises. Physiotherapists are able to assess the body’s movement patterns and identify weaknesses or imbalances of muscles. So to prevent injuries, they provide corrective exercises that improve posture and flexibility. Also helps us restore movement and function, especially after an injury or in conditions like stroke or musculoskeletal problems.
Common misconceptions regarding physiotherapy.
1) Yoga, Physiotherapy are not the same; while both can enhance mobility and overall health, yoga is a more all-encompassing practice that can be used for wellness and mind-body connection, whereas physiotherapy is a more focused, clinical treatment meant to aid in recovery and rehabilitation.
2) Doesn't treat the injury instantly : It takes time to heal. Although physiotherapists can hasten recovery, the body requires time to heal, and for best results, the patient must be actively involved in their treatment.
3) You only require physical therapy following surgery or an injury: Physical therapy can also be used as a prophylactic. Even healthy people can benefit from physiotherapy, particularly if they wish to strengthen and correct their posture or have risk factors for specific disorders.
It works until someone is doing physiotherapy sessions as we stop doing it, pain occurs again.
This happens because people do only pain management and don’t follow the whole process; that's why they gain pain as they return to their normal daily activities.
Physiotherapy rehabilitation undergoes 5 stages :
Phase 1: to reduce the pain and acute symptoms like inflammation & edema.
Phase 2: To increase flexibility and range of motion.
Phase 3: Improve muscular strength and endurance.
Phase 4: Improve the Balance Proprioception and Coordination.
Phase 5: Functional rehabilitation or the return to everyday activities.
So when we go through all the phases of treatment, pain will not re-occur when you get back to your daily activity routine.
Some people also believe that there are side effects of the modalities used during physiotherapy sessions; but it's a false belief; there are no side effects of physiotherapy treatment.
Mrs. Mamta PT (BPT, MPT Sports)
