Learn About 8 Of The Most Used Techniques In Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy techniques help to generate well-being to the human being, especially those who experience pain and movement limitations due to illnesses or accidents.

They also have a preventive and even relaxing role that makes them useful and valuable for everyone.

Techniques Used In Physiotherapy

In the physical therapy, different techniques are used to treat various ailments. These techniques are classified into two groups: Manual therapies and those that are through physical agents.

The first are developed through the use of the physiotherapist’s own hands and are: massage therapy, kinesiotherapy, orthopedic manual physiotherapy, manual methods for reducing postural behavior, analytical stretching, neurological physiotherapy, respiratory and obstetric physiotherapy, functional bandage and neuromuscular bandage and diacutaneous fibrolysis.

As for those that are through physical agents, they are: Electrotherapy and ultrasonotherapy; thermotherapy and cryotherapy; hydrotherapy; mechanotherapy and pressotherapy; and magnetotherapy and phototherapy. The techniques, methods and exercises that are applied to patients in physiotherapy generate a great impact on people’s health. They contribute to the enjoyment of the correct function of our bodies.

1. Massotherapy

Among the techniques most used in physiotherapy, this occupies a special place, since it has a wide field of action, both preventive and treatment of specific diseases and illnesses.

Massage therapy is nothing more than a set of massage practices for therapeutic purposes that, among other things, can correct postures, relieve muscle pain and relax certain parts of the human body.

In the world of sports, for example, this technique is used to treat the typical muscular overloads of athletes and, at the same time, as a preventive method of injuries due to muscle weakness and / or stiffness.

It is also widely applied for lymphatic drainage and even as part of complex neuromuscular treatments.

2. Neurological Physiotherapy

This technique encompasses a set of practices aimed at treating disorders of the nervous system and increasing the well-being of those who suffer from them.

In particular, neurological physiotherapy serves to re-educate body postures , synergies and different neuromotor aspects, that is, involving neurons and movements.

This is one of the physiotherapy techniques that is especially indicated for people with brain injuries that affect movement dynamics, such as Parkinson’s disorder.

It is also recommended for the treatment of spinal cord injuries, including multiple sclerosis and other neurological syndromes identified during childhood.

3. Kinesitherapy

It is a healing method based on the movements of the human body, both active and passive.

From a practical point of view, it consists of applying external force to produce a movement without the individual or patient performing a muscle contraction voluntarily.

Specialists apply it to improve joint mobility in people with limited motor capacity, the result of accidents or certain pathologies.

Like traditional massage therapy, kinesiotherapy is widely practiced in the world of sports, since it provides well-being and prevention to high-performance athletes, who are subjected to high levels of physical activity.

4. Analytical Stretching

It is a therapeutic maneuver that serves as a complement to treatments focused on increasing the amplitude or range of motion of certain parts of the human body, through the stretching of shortened soft tissue .

In addition to being one of the valuable physiotherapy techniques to face the classic muscle contractures, it serves to help mitigate acute illnesses caused by prolonged immobilization, deep scars or burns.

Specifically, these stretches provide the possibility of regaining elasticity, elongation and strength.

Health Benefits Of Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy, beyond restoring mobility, helps improve a person’s quality of life, reduce ailments and facilitate their independence. This profession can do wonders in completely changing an individual’s look, helping them feel full and able to fend for themselves.

With time, dedication, and effort, physical therapy helps patients find relief from their physical problems. In addition, it offers viable options for people to lead normal and healthy lives. The benefits of this branch are many, but let’s go over some of the most important:

Reduces Or Eliminates Pain

The various therapies and exercises help reduce aches and pains caused by injuries and illnesses. Tissue mobilization and restoration allows patients to no longer experience so much discomfort when moving or performing activities. In addition, the pain is prevented from recurring.

Significantly Improves Mobility

The therapy helps to restore movement, bending and strength through personalized recovery programs. Thus, the person will be able to adapt to their condition, in order to be able to perform well and fend for themselves (walking better, lifting objects, using a prosthesis, etc.)

Speed ​​up Recovery After A Sports Injury

With specialized treatments and exercises, a person can recover from a sports injury faster. From stress fractures of a limb to sprains, physiotherapists can design a program to ensure your safe return to your sports activities.

Manage Diabetes, Heart, Lung And Vascular Conditions

Exercise and physical therapy are great for keeping people with diabetes and other heart, vascular and lung diseases under control. These people are particularly vulnerable because of their condition, as any injury can lead to serious sensory and motor dysfunctions.

However, with proper physiotherapeutic care , it is possible to avoid future complications. Physical therapy is therefore essential to a safe and effective monitoring plan. Physiotherapy is also essential for the rehabilitation of patients with heart and respiratory problems.

Different therapies can improve a person’s performance after a heart attack. They may also increase their heart rate, improve their breathing, or release fluid from their lungs. Thus, physiotherapy can bring a lot, so that these patients can achieve a good state of health.

Correct Age-Related Issues

As we age, various ailments and diseases appear. From arthritis to osteoporosis to fibromyalgia, physiotherapy can make a huge difference in improving the quality of life for older people. A good physiotherapy program can therefore preserve the mobility of our beloved elders.

It Is A Non-Drug Alternative

The various medications, which relieve pain and physical discomfort, only provide a temporary solution. However, physiotherapy is a fantastic option for directly treating the problem. Through various techniques and exercises, this specialty provides long-term remedies for a variety of ailments, injuries and illnesses without the need for so much medication.

Avoids Surgery Or Allows For Rapid Post-Operative Recovery

Doctors often recommend physical therapy before surgery to treat an injury or illness. This can be a less invasive and more effective alternative to treating the discomfort without having to perform surgery.

On the other hand, physical therapy is essential after some surgeries so that the patient can recover safely. Many surgeons refer their patients to a physiotherapist so that they correct their mistakes, or so that they definitively recover their sensory and motor capacities.

Facilitates Stroke And Stroke Rehabilitation

After a cerebrovascular episode, a stroke or any other type of attack, it is common for the person to lose their mobility and other faculties. Physiotherapy is therefore necessary for a complete recovery of these patients, as they must learn to recover the weakened parts of their body and to become independent again.

Helps To Have An Optimal Sleep Cycle

It is clear that dealing with constant pain is exhausting, both physically and mentally. People who suffer from motor or sensory problems find it very difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Fortunately, physical therapy incorporates techniques to improve sleep hygiene.

Thus, a patient will be able to benefit from a restful sleep, which will allow him to accelerate his healing process. It is essential that the body remains rested for more effective healing. And with physiotherapy, sleep disturbances can be reduced.

Prevent Falls And Injuries

With the help of a physiotherapist, a person will be able to improve their coordination, balance, and body management to prevent falls, fractures, or other high-risk injuries. Exercises associated with equipment and assistive systems allow the patient to have a better mobility function.

Allows A Better Life

People with injuries, illnesses or disabilities can optimize their lives through physical therapy. Thus, these people will be able to lead full, independent and happy lives. Physiotherapists will teach them everything they need to help them stand upright, live their daily lives without complications, and avoid permanent damage.

Now that you know the great health benefits of physiotherapy, what are you waiting for to seek the help of a physiotherapist? If you are suffering from pain or illness, physical therapy can drastically change your life for the better, and you will achieve a healthy and satisfying physical condition!

Physiotherapy has a long history in the field of medical rehabilitation. It was even practiced long before drugs and pain relievers were in common use. Physiotherapy can do wonders for your body if you are suffering from an injury, illness, or disability.

What Is Physical Therapy

The term “masseur-physiotherapist” comes from the Greek words “massins” (to knead), “kinesis” (movement) and “therapeuein” (to heal).

The physiotherapist performs, manually or with the aid of instruments, rehabilitation and rehabilitation care aimed at preserving, restoring or supplementing the integrity, both structural and functional, of a person confronted with a trauma, illness or disability.

In France, the practice of physiotherapy requires obtaining a state paramedical diploma dispensed at the end of 4 years of training (plus 1 year of preparation). This profession is recent. Indeed, it was only after the Second World War, to treat and re-educate the war wounded that the diploma of masseur-physiotherapist was created. Later, the public health law of August 9, 2008 gave birth to the Order of physiotherapist masseurs.

If the physiotherapist treats benign ailments such as low back pain , stiff necks or sprains , he also treats trauma related to accidents or the consequences of aging. The field of application of physiotherapy is therefore very wide: neurological pathologies, trauma, rheumatic diseases, balance disorders, urinary and fecal incontinence, oncology, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, swallowing disorders, rehabilitation, etc. The physiotherapist intervenes at all ages in the lives of patients.

Physiotherapy is used for different purposes. From the ancient Greek “kinesis”, which means “movement” , to which is added “therapy”, which means the treatment of a patient, physiotherapy is therapy by movement. The main thing is to relieve the patient because he often comes to reduce pain, ” says Elodie Beltrame , sports masseur-physiotherapist. The masseur prefix then takes on its full meaning.

Manual therapy integrating into a therapeutic perspective –  “I can’t imagine not touching the patient in my practice because it allows us to understand how things” move “in him, to feel his limitations and to observe the compensations. Thanks to this, I can see if there is an evolution of the tissue qualities over the sessions ”-  physiotherapy can also be done in an instrumental way to treat patients, who all have different functions.

Caring for the patient is the basis of physiotherapy. Step by step, patients are asked if the pain has progressed and if new tensions have appeared ”.

The physiotherapist has the advantage of treating injuries without side effects. Indeed, through equipment or manual treatment, the specialist will remedy muscle or joint pain. It will help the patient to recover quickly or to rehabilitate painful muscles by means of gentle techniques, and will establish treatment priorities. “For a sprained ankle, for example, if the patient is really in pain, we will start the rehabilitation on a table, lying down or sitting down. Then, little by little, we will strengthen standing to prevent relapse of the sprain,  explains the specialist. I respect the principle “primum non nocere” which means “first, do no harm” “.

… but also preventive

But healing isn’t the only benefit of physiotherapy. It also makes it possible to act upstream of the pain, through preventive care.  I have some elderly people with whom I focus my work on maintenance, to allow them to remain active at home, but also to relax.”

Physiotherapists are ready to give advice to patients, so that they can perform certain movements independently at home, without having to come to the office. Knowing your body and its needs is essential to prevent the onset of any injury.