What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapists provide a functional assessment to identify pain or loss of function caused by a physical injury, disorder or disability and they use techniques to reduce pain, improve movement and restore normal muscle control for better motor performance and function.
Physiotherapists uses a variety of assessment and treatment tools:
Manual therapy
Manual therapy (or manipulative therapy) refers to the practice, within musculoskeletal physiotherapy, of therapist-applied passive or assisted active movement techniques for the management of pain and impairments in the articular, neural and muscle systems
The passive and passive-assisted movement techniques of manual therapy are used both as assessment and management techniques.
Soft tissue techniques
Miofascial release
Massage
Trigger point release
Exercise rehabilitation
Exercise-based rehabilitation should be introduced at a stage of physiotherapy management that is appropriate for the injury. It is a broad concept, encompassing strengthening, training regimes, facilitation of neuro-motor control systems and stretching.
Electrotherapy
This includes:
1. Electrical Stimulation
TENS- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation – used for pain relief
NMES- Neuromuscular electrical stimulation – electrical stimulation of muscle or tissue via an intact nerve
EMS-Electrical muscle stimulation – direct stimulation of a denervated muscle via its muscle fibers.
2. Therapeutic Ultrasound
Ultrasound is effective in treating diseased and dysfunctional joints and joint components and muscle injuries.
Ultrasound treatment goals: Reduce pain, improve elasticity of fibrous structures, increase blood flow, to improve tissue nutrition
