Physiotherapy
What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a health profession concerned with maximizing mobility and quality of life by using clinical reasoning to select and apply the appropriate treatment. It involves treatment of disease or injury by resolving the cause of dysfunction through the use of physical modalities, individualized exercises, manual therapy, and education based upon a detailed assessment that considers the individual’s physical, social, occupational and mental factors.
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Who needs Physiotherapy?
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Stroke or other neurological conditions
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Cardiac reconditioning
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Vertigo
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Jaw dysfunctions
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Chest conditions
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Stress incontinence
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Inflammation
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Headaches
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Injuries to your muscles, ligaments, joints and other soft tissues
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Pre-surgery preparation and Post-surgery recovery
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Repetitive strains and sprains like carpal tunnel syndrome
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Postural problems
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Muscle weakness
Here at Movewell, our physiotherapist uses a variety of different treatment methods to help speed up the healing process and reduce the likelihood of the same thing happening again. Some of the techniques include:
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manual techniques (massage, joint mobilization, manipulation, stretches)
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electrotherapy (ultrasound, interferential, TENS, laser)
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heat and cold
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therapeutic exercise
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correction of posture, lifting techniques, sporting techniques which contribute to the problem
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taping, bandaging, splinting
The physiotherapist is not only concerned with treating the injury, but with finding the cause and correcting any biomechanical factors which may contribute to the injury.
Cardiothoracic Physiotherapy
Cardiothoracic physiotherapy deal primarily with the function of the cardiorespiratory system. The physiotherapist, often working in the acute hospital, deals with a variety of situations, some of them being:
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chronic obstructive airways disease (emphysema, asthma, chronic bronchitis)
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following general surgery
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general medical conditions
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following cardiac surgery
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following most types of thoracic surgery
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intensive care unit patients
The physiotherapist aims to optimize the function of the cardiothoracic system and patient comfort, resulting in increased exercise tolerance, a reduced chance of developing complications such as chest infections, reduced shortness of breath, and a reduced length of stay in hospital.
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Some of the treatment techniques at the physiotherapists disposal are:
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breathing techniques either to reduce shortness of breath or increase lung expansion
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patient positioning
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sputum clearance with percussions, vibrations, coughing, deep breathing, suction
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mobilising, sitting out of bed, or walking
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exercise programs
Neurological Physiotherapy
Neurological Physiotherapy, as the name suggests, is concerned with disorders of the nervous system. The physiotherapist is involved in the assessment and treatment of patients suffering conditions such as:
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acquired brain injuries/head injuries
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strokes
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brain surgery
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Parkinson’s disease
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multiple sclerosis
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Guillian-Barre syndrome
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balance disorders
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spinal cord injuries
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other neurological conditions
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The physiotherapist is involved in determining how these conditions affect the patients movement and function, and implementing strategies to regain maximum function, depending on the type of disorder.
Orthopetic Physiotherapy
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Orthopedics involves a complex understanding of multiple systems including how those systems work independently and collectively as a group. The precision required to identifying and correct the problem within a system is improved with the application of highly skilled hands-on assessment and treatment, which Orthopedic trained physiotherapists can provide as a result of their advance training.
By combining the principles of evidence-informed practice, evaluative skills, and clinical and professional judgment, a Orthopedically trained physiotherapist will work closely with you and your staff to ensure that your patient’s health goals are met.
