Physiotherapists have been around for centuries now with their excellent techniques to repair some of the biggest health problems we face. With the growing need for more and more physical therapists these days given the kind of careless lifestyle most people lead, it is important to understand what techniques physiotherapists use in order to get your muscles the strength they require. If you are wondering what it is that physical therapists do to fix your body, here are a few techniques they use that you should know about.
Manual Therapy
The most common form of therapy that physiotherapists will use during an injury or a physical condition is manual therapy. This includes massage, stretching, guided exercises and similar methods in order to loosen the muscles that may have caused a stiffness in the body of a patient. When a patient can move in a better, easier manner, most of the physical problem is solved which can help lead to recovery sooner. Manual therapy is employed by physiotherapists at Kinematics Physiotherapy Clinic as well. This sort of therapy is generally made use of during minor injuries and those that don’t particularly require special treatment for the patient to recover.
Hot/Cold Therapy
Injuries that involve swelling or inflammation are mostly treated by cold compression. Ice is used in order to soften the muscles that may have swollen up due to an injury or two. Ice numbs the pain and reduces swelling thereafter. Similarly, heat compression is used when the injury is concerning tightness in muscles or muscle spasms. Heat decreases the pain and removes stiffness from the muscles in order to make it easier for manual therapy later on. Depending on the manner of injury the patient has gone through, the physiotherapist will recommend either hot or cold compression to heal the injury.
Ultrasound Therapy
Injuries to the connective tissues can be treated by ultrasound therapy. Physiotherapists will use this therapy when they need the muscles to relax so that the patient can perform exercises to recover completely. As soon as the tissues loosen up, it becomes easier for the patient to do the proper movement, which ensures that manual therapy can be made use of. Sound waves are applied to the body through an ultrasound device that directly starts to heal the tissue injury.
Traction
Most injuries in the back or specifically in the spinal cord are treated with traction. Traction targets the vertebrates to create space between them so that the process of recovery can be simplified. Disc herniation is the most common injury that can be healed through traction. Most physiotherapists will use this technique to heal the spinal cord although it is not so commonly made use of without proper research into the seriousness of the injury since the spinal cord is a rather sensitive organ to deal with.
Exercise
Recovering from any physical injury involves proper exercise, and physiotherapists will usually employ this technique during minor injuries or at the time the patient has recovered to a good extent. Guided and regular exercise can improve the patient’s condition tenfold and make sure that a similar injury in the future can be cured sooner and much faster. Physiotherapists recommend continuing exercising in order to prevent any muscular pain or injury later on. Staying healthy even after the treatment has been completed is important. Exercising frequently and properly according to guidelines will help maintain the recovered state, thereby minimising constant visits to a doctor.
These being some of the most common techniques, it is important for patients to know what they may be given based on their injuries or condition. Although every physiotherapist has their own personal approach towards their respective patients, some of these aforementioned techniques are mostly common all across the world among physical therapists. If you feel like you need physical therapy, don’t hesitate to contact your closest complementary therapist or physiotherapist today.
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