It often happens that we end up consulting a physiotherapist after a major injury that causes pain, such as after a fall, a surgery, or any form of severe pain that makes it difficult to carry on everyday routine and tasks.
One of the biggest things most people do not realize about physiotherapists is that this is not all that they are restricted to. In fact, the quality of our life can be really enhanced to a great extent if we choose to seek some help from a qualified physiotherapist.
1. Heart Disease
A Physiotherapist can help prevent the onset of heart disease and can help reduce the negative consequences of heart disease by implementing a treatment program that addresses all the contributing factors of this disease.This may include advice on smoking cessation, an exercise program for weight management and improving cholesterol levels. Physiotherapists also run cardiac rehabilitation programs for patients who have had a heart attack or severe heart disease.These programs occur in a group setting thereby enabling patients to socialize with other people yet still having the benefit of a physiotherapist assessing, monitoring and progressing them to achieve their highest level of function.
2. Back Pain
Back pain is a common and debilitating condition. Physiotherapists can help you manage this by using a variety of techniques including mobilizations, manipulation, and massage. Physiotherapy conditions can also help reduce the likelihood of injury or recurrence by educating and changing patientäó»s posture, prescribing exercises that will strengthen and support muscles around the back, and equipping patients with strategies to prevent injury such as safe lifting techniques and environmental changes at work and home to strengthen your back.
3. Incontinence
A specialist physiotherapist can treat both male and female incontinence by prescribing a program that includes exercises that aid in strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, integrating pelvic floor muscles with abdominal muscles, retraining reflexes, and improving the vascular system by increasing aerobic fitness.
4. Osteoporosis
This condition is common in the elderly and particularly in women. It affects the structure and strength of your bones. Physiotherapy conditions can help minimize the effects of osteoporosis and help prevent further damage from fractures by developing a holistic treatment plan including a targeted strengthening and falls prevention exercise program and advice on diet on consultation with other health professionals.
5. Fractured Bone in Arm
Œ
Immediately after a fracture, a physiotherapist may make a splint for your arm to ensure proper healing of the bone.They will also give you an exercise program to maintain movement and strength in the unaffected joints and muscles in the arm.Once the bone has healed, the physiotherapist is there to provide you with treatment to restore movement, reduce stiffness and increase strength.
6. Asthma
Œ
A physiotherapist will develop an asthma plan in consultation with other health professionals to optimize your activity while minimizing symptoms
7. Developmental delay
Parents often present to pediatric physiotherapists with significant concerns about their childrenäó»s development.These include delays in the attainment of motor milestones (such as sitting and walking), clumsiness (ie; awkwardness and difficulty in carrying out organized movements and actions in parallel), or hyperactivity.Pediatric physiotherapists are well trained to assess and manage these conditions.
8. Tennis Elbow
It is a condition where the outer part of the elbow is sore and tender and is most common in people who play racquet sport. Physiotherapy conditions can manage this condition by initially reducing pain and then developing a specific exercise program that will help minimize symptoms and prevent the likelihood of recurrence to enable you a timely return to sport.
9. Ankle Sprain
Physiotherapist management of an acute ankle sprain involves the reduction of pain and swelling, restoration of ankle motion, muscle conditioning, and exercises to allow a successful and timely return to sport, work or everyday activity, and help to prevent this injury from occurring again.
10. Critical care
People remain in intensive care for varying lengths of time, depending on the extent of their illness. The patient will usually remain in bed, which can lead to muscle weakness, including the muscles used for breathing. Muscle wasting, skin sores, joint pain and stiffness (caused by lack of movement) are risks facing patients as they recover from a critical illness. Physiotherapists will assess patients in critical care for breathing difficulties or coughing, using techniques to help bring up phlegm or to make breathing easier. Physios will assist patients in breathing independently, and help keep their chests clear of mucus to prevent lung infections. Physios also aid physical recovery, encouraging patients to sit, stand with support and walk as early as possible. In addition, physios will teach specific exercises to be done at different times of the day.
11. Stroke
The first priority is that your condition is medically stable, once this has occurred your focus can shift to rehabilitation. Rehabilitation usually starts in the first few days after a stroke – while you are still in hospital. Your physio’s role will be to help return as much normal function as possible so you can continue to do the things you enjoy in life. Rehabilitation will be influenced by the severity of your stroke and the resulting problems. It may include: helping you relearn how to perform basic movements, such as getting out of bed and walking. Specific exercises would be taught to aid in your recovery by strengthening weak muscles, improving your balance and teaching you new ways to complete tasks. Physio would also be teaching you how to use any equipment that may be needed to help keep you safe.
