INTRODUCTION TO PHYSIOTHERAPY

 

WHAT IS PHYSIOTHERAPY

The term Physiotherapy is also known as Physical therapy which is defined as medical profession that deal with study or training on how to be expert or specialized in assessment, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of joint structures and soft tissue injuries, deformities, disabilities and diseases for the purpose of rehabilitation of normal range of motion of the joints and normal physiological function of the soft tissues of the human body by using physical methods like exercise therapy, manual therapy techniques, therapeutic massage techniques and electrotherapy by using electrical therapeutic modalities.

A Person who study physiotherapy is called Physiotherapist.

METHODS USED IN PHYSIOTHERAPY

(1) EXERCISE THERAPY METHODS INCLUDE:

• Active and passive exercises
• Breathing exercises
• Stretching exercises
• Posture correction exercises
• Gait and balance training exercises
• Resisted exercises
• Assisted exercises
• Assisted-resisted exercises e.t.c.

(2) ELECTROTHERAPY METHODS INCLUDE:

• Ultrasound therapy 
• Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER) therapy
• Muscle Stimulator (MS) therapy
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) therapy 
• Infrared Radiation (IR) therapy
• Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) therapy 
• Russian Current therapy
• Interferential Therapy (IFT)
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
• Paraffin wax therapy
• Contrast bath therapy
• Hydrocollator bath therapy
• Hydrotherapy
• Cryotherapy
• Short Wave Diathermy (SWD)
• Microwave Diathermy (MWD) e.t.c.

(3) MANUAL THERAPY METHODS INCLUDE:

(a) Joint mobilization techniques include:

• Maitland's Techniques
• Kaltenborn's Techniques
• Mulligan's Techniques
• Mennel's Techniques
• Mckenzie's Techniques

(b) Soft tissue mobilization techniques include:

• Neurodynamics (Butler's concept)
• Leon Chaitow's muscle energy techniques
• Leon Chaitow's positional release techniques
• Leon Chaitow's myofascial release techniques
• Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilition techniques

(4) THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE METHODS INCLUDE:

(a) Techniques of manipulation

• Stroking including short hand and long hand stroking
• Effleurage
• Petrissage (Pressure manipulation) including kneading, picking up, wringing and skin rolling.
• Tapotement (Percussion manipulation) which include hacking, clapping, beating and pounding.
• Vibration
• Shaking
• Stretching e.t.c.