Physiotherapy
PHYSICAL MEDICINE1. INTRODUCTION:
1. INTRODUCTION:
Physiotherapy is a form of treatment carried through the medium of physical forces such as heat, electricity, mechanical pressure and mechanical forces. Thus, in physiotherapy heat, electrical current, water, soft tissue manipulation, and exercises with or without resistance are utilized. Physiotherapy is a health science whose primary purpose is the promotion of optimal human health by the application of scientific principles to prevent, assess, correct or alleviate acute or prolonged movement dysfunction.
2. ETYMOLOGY:
Physiotherapy comes from combination of two Greek words one is physio and another is therapy.
3. DEFINATION:
Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment/ intervention, habilitation and rehabilitation. This encompasses physical, psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing. Physical therapy involves the interaction between the physical therapist, patients/clients, other health professionals, families, care givers and communities in a process where movement potential is assessed and goals are agreed upon, using knowledge and skills unique to physical therapists (WCPT)
UTILITY OF PHYSIOTHERAPY:
Physiotherapy is a complex specialty, as it deals with all disciplines of medicine. So the utility of physiotherapy has resulted in a variety of sub-specialization-.
1. 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, Fracture, 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 etc
2. 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 and help an individual to breathe 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 etc
3. 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 and meninges. Some of the conditions which physiotherapy is essential part of treatment are: Stroke, ataxia, cerebral palsy, Spinal cord injury, peripheral nerve injuries, etc.
4. 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 rehabilitations, where physiotherapy is involved: Stroke Rehabilitation, Geriatric/ Old age Rehabilitation, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Amputee (person who has lost the limb) Rehabilitation
5. Physiotherapy in Obstetrics
Physiotherapy in obstetrics is concerned with postural care and physical fitness of women during pregnancy and after child birth.
6. 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 sports injuries.
7. 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/ Overweight, Poor Posture (Hunch back), Good muscle built etc
8. Pediatric 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 .Some of the conditions dealt here are: Club foot- before and after a surgery, Respiratory infections, Fractures in children, Cerebral palsy etc.
SCOPE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY
The scope of physical therapy practice is dynamic and responsive to patient/client and societal health needs. With the development of knowledge and technological advances, periodic review is required to ensure that scope of practice reflects the latest evidence base and continues to be consistent with current health needs. Research is continually providing new evidence upon which future practice will be built.
The scope of physical therapy practice is dynamic and responsive to patient/client and societal health needs. With the development of knowledge and technological advances, periodic review is required to ensure that scope of practice reflects the latest evidence base and continues to be consistent with current health needs. Research is continually providing new evidence upon which future practice will be built.The scope of physical therapy services
Physical therapy is an essential part of the health and community/welfare services delivery system. Physical therapists practice independently of other health care/service providers and also within interdisciplinary rehabilitation/facilitation programmes to prevent, gain, maintain or restore optimal function and quality of life in individuals with loss and disorders of movement. Physical therapists are guided by their own code of ethical principles. Thus, they may be concerned with any of the following purposes:
1. Promoting the health and well-being of individuals and the general public/society- Emphasizing the importance of physical activity and exercise
2. Preventing impairments, activity limitations, participatory restrictions and disabilities in individuals at risk of altered movement behaviors due to health or medically related factors, socio-economic stressors, environmental factors and lifestyle factors
3.Providing interventions/treatment to restore integrity of body systems essential to movement, maximize function and recuperation, minimize incapacity, and enhance the Quality of life, independent living and workability in individuals and groups of individuals with altered movement behaviors resulting from impairments, activity limitations, Participatory restrictions and disabilities modifying environmental, home and work access and barriers to ensure full participation in one’s normal and expected societal roles .Physical therapists may also contribute to the development of local, national and international Health policies and public health strategies.
IMPORTNANCE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY:
The importnance of physiotherapy are to improve mobility and strength, to relieve pain and to restore physical function. This enables to resume regular activities of daily living including work, school, recreational activities, home-making and/or self care. If the injury or disease is severe in nature, the goal is to assist you in returning to your maximal function. Physiotherapy provides benefits by use of a non-invasive approach. The Goals of Physiotherapy are to facilitate and maximize recovery and functional mobility following a musculoskeletal or neurological injury. Physiotherapy reaches these goals through:
- • Reduction of pain.
- • Acceleration in healing of injured.
- • Maintenance or restoration of normal range of motion in affected joints.
- • Prevention of fibrosis or soft tissue contractures in injured, weak or paralyzed limbs.
- • Prevention of disuse atrophy during healing phases of neurological and musculoskeletal insults.
- • Improvement of strength and function in weak and paralyzed muscles.
- • Improved performance and quality of movement.
- • Positive psychological effects maximizing both pet and owner’s well-being.
- • Provision of individualized home care program to maximize functional mobility and prevent injury.