Do you sometimes have a backache that makes it hard to get out of bed in the morning? Or is your leg still not fully healed after a sprained leg from playing cricket? Perhaps it is difficult for your body to regain its strength after an operation. Today we are talking about a very valuable treatment method that comes to our aid at times like these. This is physical therapy, or as many people know it, physiotherapy.
What is Physiotherapy simply?
Simply put, physical therapy is a treatment that helps you move your body, such as moving your body and walking, better and more comfortably. It's not like giving you pills. It's about restoring your body's function through specific exercises, techniques, and equipment.
This treatment is provided by a specially trained physical therapist . He or she will understand your condition and create a treatment plan that is right for you.
How long you need this treatment will depend on your condition or injury. Some minor problems may resolve in a few weeks. However, if you have a chronic condition, such as arthritis, you may need this treatment for months or even years.
In what situations can physiotherapy help us?
Most often, a doctor will refer you for physical therapy after diagnosing a condition or injury. Let's look at some of the situations where this treatment can be very beneficial.
| The nature of the situation | Examples |
|---|---|
| For injuries and pains | |
| Sports injuries | For example: sprained ankle, ACL tears |
| Body aches | Pain in the neck, back, knees, and hips |
| Special conditions | Carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff tears |
| After surgeries | E.g. after knee replacement surgery |
| Nervous system problems | Recovery after stroke and spinal cord injuries |
| For chronic illnesses | |
| Respiratory system diseases | To make breathing easier in conditions such as COPD |
| Diseases of the nervous system | Cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease |
What is actually done in physiotherapy?
This varies from person to person, but there are a few commonly used treatments.
- Stretching: Loosen tight muscles and joints.
- Strength training: Helps strengthen weakened muscles. Sometimes weights or special equipment are used.
- Massage: Helps relax muscles, improve blood circulation, and reduce pain.
- Heat or cold therapy: Use things like hot water bottles and ice packs to control pain and swelling.
- Hydrotherapy: Uses the pressure and heat of water to provide weightless exercise.
- TENS therapy (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation): A method of controlling the nerves that sense pain by sending very small electrical signals through the skin's surface.
Most of the time, this treatment is done on an outpatient basis, rather than in the hospital. This means you can go to a physical therapy clinic or hospital physical therapy department and receive treatment and go home. Sometimes, there are also services that come to your home to provide treatment.
Are there any risks in physiotherapy?
Physical therapy is a very safe and effective treatment. However, as with any physical activity, there is a small risk. That is, if the exercise is done incorrectly, it may slightly aggravate an existing injury.
Therefore, it is important to listen carefully to what your physical therapist says and do the exercises exactly as they are told. Never be afraid to ask again if there is something you do not understand.
If you are doing exercises on your own at home, be sure to ask your therapist for the correct way to do them.
Are Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy the same?
Many people get confused between these two names. Although both help improve body movement, their purposes are different.
- Physical Therapy: The main goal of this is to control symptoms in a specific part of the body . For example, reducing knee pain, healing a sprained leg, or restoring movement to a joint after surgery.
- Occupational Therapy: The main goal of this is to help a person perform daily tasks independently . Here, "occupational" does not mean a job. It can be any daily task, such as brushing teeth, getting dressed, cooking, or going to the store. For example, occupational therapy might teach someone with arthritis in their hands how to hold a pen and write with less pain, or how to use a special tool to button their shirt.
Simply put, Physical Therapy 'fixes' a part of the body, while Occupational Therapy uses that 'fixed' part to help you perform daily tasks.
Sometimes both of these treatments may be needed together. The doctor treating you will inform you exactly about this.
Take-Home Message
- Physiotherapy is a very important treatment method that helps manage pain, injuries, and long-term conditions.
- This is very safe because it is done under the guidance of a trained professional.
- It takes some time to see results, so it is very important to be patient and persistent in your treatment.
- If you experience any discomfort, pain, or feel that the exercises are too easy/too difficult during treatment, tell your physical therapist and doctor.
- Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy are two types of treatment that have two goals. Your doctor will decide which one you need.
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