5 physiotherapy treatments to relieve pain
It was the prospect of having to stop cooking that prompted me to try physiotherapy. My hands and wrists were aching since my school years, which I had spent furiously taking notes and typing on the computer.
She Can Treat The Knees
Last year, researchers at the University of Western Ontario published a major study showing that physiotherapy , combined with medication, was just as effective as arthroscopy in treating osteoarthritis of identifying the cause, such as muscle tension around the knee, and treating it with exercise or stretching. “We first do a biomechanical assessment during which we examine all the possible causes: muscle tension, weakness and varying degrees of mobility in the joint,” explains Greg Alcock, physiotherapist ” good at assessing general posture, while surgeons will only look at the diseased joint,” adds Robert Litchfield.
She Teaches Breathing Techniques
Because it addresses the human body as a whole and not just the skeletal-muscular system, physiotherapy also looks at problems with the autonomic nervous system, that is, the system of muscles and involuntary nerves that regulate organs . People with asthma or sleep apnea, for example, may be treated by cardiovascular physiotherapists, who use breathing exercises’ sometimes as simple as blowing a balloon – or focus on improving mobility. chest and neck muscles through stretching and weight training programs.
It Can Relieve Pelvic Floor Disorders
Pelvic floor disorders, which occur when muscles in this region contract, shorten, or become spastic after pregnancy, childbirth, or surgery to the abdomen, is one area of the practice that is developing. faster. “The muscles of the pelvic floor are involved in sexual function, as well as those of the bladder and intestines, in addition to supporting the spine and abdominal organs”, a massage technique called “trigger point therapy” given directly to the affected pelvic muscle to relieve the spasm. She also teaches her clients core strength and relaxation exercises borrowed from Pilates.
It Helps Fight Obesity
Another emerging sector, lifestyle physiotherapy employs disease prevention and chronic pain management techniques. Winnipeg physiotherapist Lia Arniel often works collegially with physicians to treat obese patients, including making exercise easier . “We inform them of the physical impact that their weight has on their skeletal-muscular system, which supports the whole body,” she explains. In addition to treating problems such as knee pain and tendonitis using conventional techniques, physiotherapists develop personalized exercise programs that protect vulnerable joints.. Something as simple as helping a patient with sedentary habits choose the right pair of shoes for their needs can help them become more active. The same principles can be applied to elderly patients or patients suffering from the effects of chemotherapy in order to help them regain their mobility.
It Can Help Relieve Chronic Pain
To relieve chronic pain, physiotherapists use programs to strengthen the muscles around the painful joint. In a study of women with osteoporosis whose chronic pain resulted from compression fractures, Danish researchers observed that they experienced significantly less pain, took less medication and reported a much better quality of life. at the end of a 10-week program aimed at improving their balance and stabilizing their spine.
It Can Relieve Back Pain
Poor posture, muscle tension, or arthritis can cause back pain. Treatment will depend on the nature of the problem, but a number of common principles apply. Paul VanWiechen, director of the exercise physiology program at the Cleveland Clinic Canada in Toronto, recommends a three-fold approach: weight monitoring (to decrease stress on the joints), strength training (to improve mobility and decrease the risk of relapses. ) and muscle reprogramming. It involves changing the way muscles coordinate in a given area of the body, usually through a series of dynamic exercises.. It is much less effective to reinforce two or three of them than to relearn the 24 to work intelligently together. “
For the majority of problems, stretching and strength training at home is essential. This is where physiotherapy risks losing players. “A lot of my clients would like their problem resolved yesterday,” says Karen Orlando, physiotherapist in Toronto and owner of ProCare Rehabilitation.
When I was tempted to skip my exercises, I reminded myself that the effort and money I invested could help prevent more expensive and longer interventions . This is something our politicians should keep in mind: the potential of physiotherapy to help an aging population stay mobile and healthy is increasingly relevant.
