Consultancy Corner: Physiotherapy, an essential part of medical science

A physiotherapist uses physical movements and equipment to support, sustain and strengthen physical recovery in a person.It is a science that works on the principle of evaluation and review of the details that subsequently form the basis for the physiotherapy program and its execution.

Physiotherapy focuses on human body’s mobility and maximising the return to normalcy in wake of chronic or acute pain, soft tissue injuries, cartilage damage, arthritis, gait disorders and other physical impairments. It is not a modern stream of healthcare and there has been mention of various forms of physiotherapy in ancient times as well. However, physiotherapy has grown in prominence steadily after the introduction of modern orthopaedics in the eighteenth century.

A physiotherapist uses physical movements and equipment to support, sustain and strengthen physical recovery in a person. It is a science that works on the principle of evaluation and review of the details that subsequently form the basis for the physiotherapy program and its execution. At the core of any physiotherapy procedure is the need to contain the condition of a person, strengthen it through exercise and equipment, wherever needed. The eventual goal is to rehabilitate the affected person to normal mobility.

There are certain elements of physiotherapy that are safe and universal in nature, including rest, so that the affected area can avoid further damage or injury. However, in case of back pain, resting or confining the patient to bed can aggravate the problem further. Applying ice pack to the affected area at regular intervals may help reduce swelling and pain. Compression and gentle stretching of the affected parts are also seen as favourable physiotherapy routines, but without straining the affected area. Elevate the affected body part above the heart-level to reduce swelling. Use heat therapy to improve the flexibility of tendons and ligaments and to reduce muscle spasms. However, heat treatment can exacerbate the condition, especially when there is bleeding.

In case you are searching for solutions online, make sure you trust information only from credible medical websites such as a doctors’ association, a government body or a website belonging to a known healthcare facility or organisation.

While a good physiotherapist can treat the underlying problem, there is no quick fix. The patient must be an equally willing and committed participant in the recovery process. Here are some critical don’ts one must consider in order to attain full recovery. Quite often we see professionals and sportspersons try to continue working/playing despite noticing the niggles or suffering minor injuries. This can cause further damage and make the recovery process longer and more difficult.

While self-therapy can be of help at times, wherever possible, it is best to consult a professional physiotherapist. The kind of expertise and a personalised rehabilitation plan that a practicing physiotherapist can create for you, may not be available online. The right approach would be to explain the precise details and cause of your situation to the physiotherapist and commit yourself totally to the rehabilitation plan chalked out by him/her.

In today’s technology-oriented healthcare ecosystem, it has become possible to avail expert physiotherapy consultancy and services at home through various healthcare service providers. Physiotherapy is a very important part of medical science. It is instrumental in improving the mobility of people suffering from chronic disease induced disability and among people recovering from injuries. Great care must begiven before choosing the source of physiotherapy advice for better and faster recovery.