What is physiotherapy?

As a subset of rehabilitative care, physical therapy specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, movement disorders, and injuries. It is frequently regarded as a conservative method of treating different musculoskeletal issues.

Physical therapists or Physiotherapists are medical professionals who use specific methods and therapies to improve physical function, reduce pain, increase range of motion, and restore mobility. They come to rescue you from pain and discomfort after injuries or post-operation.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), conditions affecting your musculoskeletal system can be diagnosed and treated by a physical therapist.  More precisely, manual therapy, prescribed exercise, and patient education are the methods that physical therapists are trained to employ when working with individuals of all age groups, be it seniors, teenagers, adults, or young kids.

The main goals of physical therapy are to Enhance or restore mobility, strength, range of motion, general functioning, and quality of life. It also seeks to lessen discomfort and stop new injuries.

Physical therapy can be provided in a variety of settings, including schools, sports and fitness facilities, hospitals, rehab centers, assisted living complexes, nursing homes, and occupational settings.

Process of the treatment

Measurement

Your physiotherapist will perform a comprehensive examination and needs assessment during your first visit. It consists of a thorough review of your medical history, an analysis of your entire range of motion, and a biomechanical evaluation.

Assessment

The evaluation’s goal is to help the physiotherapist in determining a diagnosis for your condition. This means looking for deeper underlying issues that might be causing your symptoms, in addition to the surface-level problems you are already aware of. Your physiotherapist will also want to know about your medical history, including any impairments that may have contributed to or resulted from the condition.

Knowledge Acquisition

Your physiotherapist will use what they’ve learned about your body to educate you so that you also understand how your body functions and, more importantly, feel the importance and theory behind pain management. This process will take place as they gain a better understanding of where your pain is coming from and its specific triggers.

Therapy Scheduling

Your physiotherapist will collaborate with you to develop a customized treatment plan after accurately diagnosing and identifying the problem. Your individual goals will be included, along with a comprehensive plan that includes exercises and other therapies to help you achieve them. The best physiotherapists use a multimodal approach, addressing your needs with a range of treatments, to get the most effective and lasting results. Treatments like manual therapy, behavioral adjustments, exercise recommendations, and other treatment modalities might be part of your rehabilitation program, all this depends upon the requirement and diagnosis.

Types of Physical Therapy

Physiotherapy comes in a variety of forms. These specializations can include, for example:

• Orthopedic physical therapy: 

Handles injuries to the musculoskeletal system, which includes the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones.

• Geriatric physical therapy: 

Assists senior citizens with ailments that impair their ability to move around and perform physical tasks.

• Neurological physiotherapy:

People with neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, brain injuries, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis, can benefit from neurological physiotherapy.

• Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation:

People impacted by certain cardiopulmonary diseases and surgical procedures can benefit from cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation.

• Wound care therapy:

Improved circulation from wound care therapy helps guarantee that a healing wound gets enough blood and oxygen.

• Vestibular therapy: 

Treats disorders of the inner ear that may cause balance issues.

• Decongestive therapy: 

Assists patients with lymphedema and other conditions involving accumulation of fluid by draining accumulated fluid.

• Pelvic floor rehabilitation:

Urinary or fecal incontinence, urgency (fecal or urine), pelvic pain, prenatal and postnatal complications, endometriosis, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, dysmenorrhea, vulvodynia, and dyspareunia are among the conditions that pelvic floor rehabilitation helps treat.

• Prenatal and postnatal treatment: 

Prenatal and postnatal treatment also known as postpartum physiotherapy assists in treating physical changes brought on by pregnancy, such as lower back pain, incontinence, constipation, pubic bone pain, sacrum and tailbone pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Ten Benefits of Physiotherapy Intervention

1. Pain Alleviation and Handling

Pain is a feeling that is brought on by chemicals that are released into the body when illness or injury occurs. Not every kind of pain is the same. We usually classify pain into two categories: either it is primarily driven by the central nervous system (usually chronic pain resulting from an elevated sense of threat from the CNS) or it is related to or originating from a damaged structure (acute, nerve, referred, mechanical). Physiotherapists employ a range of techniques to help patients manage their pain because it is a complex and multifaceted condition. These techniques include manual therapy, therapeutic modalities, and exercise therapy to reduce pain, alter pain perception, and encourage healing. 

Your degree of pain should go down with time as the tissues mend and your physiotherapist works on central nervous system relaxation.

2. Robust Joints and Muscles

Effective physiotherapy treatment frequently incorporates exercise therapy by incorporating individualized exercise programs. Despite not being physical trainers or fitness trainers, physiotherapists have extensive in-depth training in prescribing exercises for specific populations. You can increase the strength and function of your muscles and joints, as well as your bone density and cardiovascular health, by performing these exercises correctly and consistently.

3. Improved Balance and Mobility

Stretching and strengthening exercises are part of physiotherapy’s goal to help you regain your range of motion, keep your balance and stability, and avoid falls. Having improved mobility gives you more self-assurance, freedom, and the ability to fully experience all of life’s physical demands and joys.

4. Convalesce After Surgery

After surgery, there is almost always some degree of discomfort, if not severe pain. The good news is that physiotherapy can help with pain management and post-surgery rehabilitation using a range of modalities. Together with your physiotherapist, you should create goals to support yourself in keeping an optimistic and concentrated mindset. This will provide you with a goal to strive for and maintain the direction of your rehabilitation.

5. Replicate Pre-Injury Behavior

The severity of the injury, your level of fitness prior to the injury, your age, and the demands of your activity will all affect when you can resume your pre-injury activities. Physiotherapists approach your injury from several perspectives in an effort to improve your range of motion, strength, and flexibility. The objective is to minimize the likelihood that your ailment or injury will recur while simultaneously returning you to your pre-injury activities as soon as possible and safely.

6. Treatment Without Drugs

Physiotherapists use a combination of manual therapy, exercise therapy, shockwave therapy, ultrasound therapy, therapeutic taping, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), cryotherapy, and thermotherapy to treat patients instead of just medication. With this multimodal approach, you can recover more healthily and sustainably while reducing your reliance on medication.

7. Precise Diagnose

Physiotherapy aims to relieve your pain, aid in your recovery, and support you in achieving your lifestyle objectives. On the other hand, a lot of people who are in physical pain or discomfort frequently sit in frustration about their pain and progress. An incorrect diagnosis and a lack of knowledge about what’s happening and why there is pain are the most frequent issues.

The most effective physiotherapists begin by doing a thorough examination and assessment to determine the underlying causes of your symptoms.

8. Boost Athletic Performance and Fitness

Sports physiotherapy is frequently used by athletes and physically fit individuals who wish to improve their performance or increase their level of fitness. Physiotherapists employ a variety of techniques to increase the strength and functionality of the body.

9. Enhance Mental Well-Being

There is a solid, underlying connection between physical and mental well-being. Anyone who has ever suffered physically is aware of the negative effects it can have on one’s emotional and mental health. Physiotherapy aids in enhancing your physical well-being so you can lead a contented, pain-free life.

10. Steer clear of surgery

Should physiotherapy assist you in overcoming pain or recovering from an injury, surgery might not be necessary. Pre-surgery physical therapy might help you even if surgery is necessary. Going into surgery stronger and in better shape will help you recover from it faster.

Following are a few of the Frequently asked questions related to physiotherapy-

How do I schedule and keep track of my appointments?

Through our online portal, you can schedule and manage all of your appointments online. You can also reach out to us via call or WhatsApp. Visit our website for contact details.

What time is our Physiotherapist available?

Our Physiotherapists are available 24/7. You can reach out to us anytime and anywhere in Dubai. We are open 365 days, even on holidays. Kindly get in touch with us or visit the web portal to understand the details better.

Do you provide one-on-one instruction?

Superb query! Individualized exercise sessions or personal training are something we are proud to provide. On the other hand, our staff is fully equipped and trained to do the diagnosis and proceed with the treatment as required (e.g., we can help in dealing with post-operative pain). Also, we provide personalized plans to support you in preserving and enhancing bodily functions.

Can I work out or exercise by myself?

Absolutely. Maintaining your mobility and getting you moving as soon as possible are our top priorities. Following your initial evaluation, you will receive a personalized program made to fit your particular needs and way of life! We involve you in the process by prescribing safe and efficient exercises that you can perform in between appointments to help expedite your recovery. With the help of at-home physical therapy, you can strengthen and balance your muscles, increase flexibility, decompress and stabilize joints, and improve mobility—all of which will help your body heal and potentially reduce pain.

When does physical therapy start to work?

Although physiotherapy has a lot to offer, it is not a miracle treatment, and benefits take time to manifest. It could take eight to twelve weeks to notice the full effects. This period of time depends on how frequently you see your physical therapist and how dedicated you are to performing the exercises you have been prescribed, if any. It is especially crucial to maintain consistency in the initial weeks of treatment. See your physiotherapist several times a week at first, if at all possible, for optimal outcomes.

What adverse effects can physical therapy cause?

There are many advantages to routine physiotherapy sessions. It’s possible that your experience will feel a little awkward at first. You might experience fatigue or post-exercise muscle soreness. These are temporary side effects that come with mobility training. If you need more time for recovery, you can always space out your sessions.