What is physiotherapy?

KIM’S KORNER

[dropcap]M[/dropcap]any people believe that physiotherapists just treat bad backs and sports injuries, but this is not the case. Over the last few weeks a lot of people have asked me, “What exactly do physiotherapist do?” The first answer that comes to mind is “Everything”. But a more precise answer would be, “We treat pain and movement dysfunction.” The World Confederation of Physical Therapists advises: “Physical therapists provide services that develop, maintain and restore people’s maximum movement and functional ability. They can help people at any stage of life, when movement and function are threatened by ageing, injury, diseases, disorders, conditions or environmental factors.”

Physiotherapists, also known as physical therapists, undergo degree training, becoming experts in anatomy and physiology. They can work alone or as part of a medical team in various locations and settings, from hospitals and private clinics to specialist centres and sports facilities.  Below are just some of the areas/disciplines where you might meet a physiotherapist.

Physiotherapy and Musculoskeletal Problems

Musculoskeletal describes any injury or pain that involves joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles or nerves. This group of patients makes up a large percentage of a physiotherapist’s caseload.  Quite often, patients complain of neck, back or ankle pain following an injury but pain can start for, what seems, no apparent reason.  Physiotherapists are skilled in assessment and through a thorough examination can often find the cause of the pain and dysfunction and design a programme to get you back to your daily routine.

Physiotherapy in Respiratory Care

With their extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology, many physiotherapists choose to specialise in the field of respiratory care. They treat a range of conditions, using their skills to:

• Assist removal of secretions in conditions such as cystic fibrosis and pneumonia

• Maintain and improve exercise tolerance by teaching breathing exercises and pacing techniques

• Reduce breathlessness and the effort of breathing, especially for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• Improve the efficiency of breathing

• They work together with personnel in ICU to assist in the weaning off of mechanical ventilation and setting up non-invasive ventilation

• Education

Physiotherapy in Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiovascular disease, such as angina and heart attacks, can be debilitating. Physiotherapists are an integral part of the rehabilitation team helping individuals return to work and their normal activities. For those who lead sedentary lifestyles, they can give advice and support on how to include exercise into their daily routine and improve their fitness.

Physiotherapy and Neurological Conditions

Conditions that involve nerves often affect normal movement and function. Physiotherapists treat a range of neurological disorders such as:

• Stroke

• Parkinson’s disease

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Traumatic brain Injury

Rehabilitation focuses on normal movement, function and independence. Damage to the nervous system can affect how we move, making it difficult to stand from a chair, walk and move freely in our environment. It’s important to identify problems such as poor balance, decreased muscle strength, poor co-ordination, high/low muscle tone. Without professional intervention, the body may use compensatory techniques which can cause poor movement patterns and fatigue as the body has to work harder to move.

Physiotherapy and Paediatrics

Paediatric physiotherapists are specially trained to diagnose and treat infants and children with developmental, congenital, neuromuscular or acquired disorders/diseases. They work with children and families, in hospitals and neonatal units, in their homes, communities and schools, helping each child to reach their maximum potential.   Paediatric physiotherapists recognise that children have different needs and often include play to make therapy fun and encourage motivation and participation. In Saint Lucia the Child Development and Guidance Centre is committed to treating children with disabilities and, in particular, those with neurodevelopmental disorders (impairments of the growth and development of the brain and nervous system) such as autism, cerebral palsy and learning difficulties.

Physiotherapy and Sport

Participating in sporting activities can be fun but it sometimes comes with pain, whether through injury, overtraining or poor technique.  Physiotherapists, as well as treating injuries, look at ways to prevent them and also enhance performance through the analysis of movement and technique. So, whether you have pain or trouble moving a physiotherapist can help you maximise your potential.