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Physiotherapy Treatment Techniques

Physiotherapy is a medical practice which uses a holistic method to help restore function and movement when someone is affected by illness, injury or disability.

Physiotherapy can be used in treating individuals of all ages suffering from conditions affecting the

  • joints, bones, and soft tissue like shoulder pain, back pain, neck pain, and sport injuries
  • heart such as recovery after a cardiac arrest
  • lungs such as cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • nervous system and brain—problems with movement as a result of a stroke, Parkinson’s disease, systemic lupus or multiple sclerosis

A physiotherapist isa trained and regulated practitioner who aims to help you improve your physical activity and prevent further injuries by diagnosing and implementing a treatment plan, educating you on how to prevent injuries and live a healthy life.

A physiotherapist can specialise in different areas such as paediatrics (children’s health), sports medicine, and women’s health.

Types of Physiotherapy Treatment

Depending on your condition and specific requirements, physiotherapy can involve a plethora of techniques and therapies.

The main techniques physiotherapists use are:

  • Manual therapy
  • Exercise programmes
  • Education and advice
  • Electrotherapy

Manual Therapy

Also known as manipulative therapy, manual therapy involves the use of hands to apply pressure on muscles and other joints of the body. It is effective in the treatment of chronic and acute pain.

Manual therapy is primarily used to relax restricted joints and tense muscles so as to reduce pain and improve movement.

A physiotherapist is trained to perform manual physiotherapy such as:

  • Physiotherapy Instrument Mobilisation (PIM)
  • Muscle stretching
  • Neurodynamics
  • Minimal Energy Techniques
  • Joint mobilisation
  • Joint manipulation
  • Muscle stretching
  • Massage

Manual therapy can help

  • drain fluid from different parts of the body
  • Reduce stiffness and pain
  • Improve mobility and blood circulation
  • Relax muscle tissues and joints

Manual therapy can also be used to improve the quality of life for patients with long-term and serious health conditions by improving the quality of sleep and reducing anxiety levels.

Conditions that can be treated with manual therapy include:

  • Lower back pain
  • Thoracic spine pain
  • Neck pain
  • Temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
  • Hip pain
  • Migraines/headaches
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Ankle pain
  • Knee pain
  • Shoulder pain

Exercise Programmes and Movement

Physiotherapists prescribe exercise regimens and movement to help improve your function and mobility.

These exercises include:

  • Exercises which involve moving the whole of your body such as swimming or walking—these types of exercises are especially helpful if you are recovering from an injury which affects your mobility.
  • Aquatic therapy or hydrotherapy (exercises done in shallow and warm water)—this helps your muscles and joints to relax, providing the strength and resilience required for toned and strong muscles.
  • Exercise regimens specially designed to improve mobility and strength in specific areas of the body
  • Exercise and professional advice needed to maintain or increase physical activity in an effective way
  • How to cope with mobility aids such as crutches, wheelchairs, and walking frames

Electrotherapy

This type of treatment involves the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation—a battery- operated device used to transmit mild electric current to the area that is affected in order to relieve pain.

When you switch on the machine, electrical impulses transmitted into your body inhibit the flow of pain signals into the spinal cord and the brain. This helps in relaxing your muscles and reducing pain.

It also helps in stimulating the secretion of endorphins, the natural pain killers in the body.

An ultrasound is another form of electrotherapy which involves the use of high-frequency sound waves in the treatment of deep-tissue injuries. It is used in stimulating cell activity and blood circulation to speed up healing by reducing pain and spasms.

Education and Advice

The role of a physiotherapist is to focus on the whole body rather than injuries alone. It is therefore important that general advice regarding the ways to improve your general wellbeing is provided during your physiotherapy session. Maintaining a healthy weight and taking regular exercise, for example, is an essential part of physiotherapy.

A physiotherapist may also advise you on how to apply daily activities and reduce the risk of injury and pain.

If you suffer from back conditions, for example, your physiotherapist may advise you on good posture and how to avoid over-stretching.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of treatment which involves inserting needles into certain parts of the body for preventive and therapeutic purposes. Acupuncture is often considered a form of alternative medicine.

It is used to stimulate the sensory nerves in the muscles of the body. This triggers the body to produce natural pain-relieving substances such as endorphins.

Acupuncture is based on the belief that life force or vital energy flows through the body system in channels called the meridians. When this energy does not flow freely, it can lead to illness.

During the treatment, the acupuncturist will examine your condition, insert one or more sterile needles into parts of your body, and offer professional advice on complementary therapies and self-care.

You will be asked to lie down on your back or one side, depending on where the acupuncturist will insert the needles. After the insertion, you may feel a dull ache or a brief tingling sensation.

The needles may sometimes be stimulated with electricity after they are inserted to release substances which relieve pain.

The number of treatments you will need depends on your condition. If you have a chronic illness, you may need two treatments a week spanning several months.

Acupuncture is used in the treatment of

  • chronic headaches
  • neck pain
  • migraines
  • joint pain
  • post-surgery pain
  • fibromyalgia
  • spine pain
  • muscle atrophy
  • Tourette syndrome
  • osteoarthritis
  • dental pain

If you are suffering from pain and need relief, contact a physiotherapist near you. The treatment plan will include the therapy you need to speed up your recovery.

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