General6 Types of Physiotherapy Techniques

Physiotherapy or physical therapy is a treatment that aims to restore and keep the function and mobility of a patient. A licensed physiotherapist can diagnose and help treat patients so that they can function normally again. Whether the cause of the pain or difficulty in body movement is due to accident or disease, different treatment and rehabilitation options.

Some of the specific conditions that physiotherapy can help treat are the following:

• Sports-related injuries, such as concussions and sprain.
• Balance disorders
• Chronic pains like neck, knee and back pain
• Cerebral palsy
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Rehabilitation of amputee

Below are the common physiotherapy techniques that professionals use in treating their patients.

Manual therapy

The physiotherapist will move parts of the body to help relax muscles, reduce inflammation, stretch tissues, and decrease pain. They may also apply pressure on various spots, similar to what chiropractors and osteopaths do. Although the therapist is the one that applies movement, the patients still have control as they can tell the therapist to stop or slow down if it gets painful or uncomfortable.

Exercise and movement

The patient will do the movement in this method. There are different types of exercises that the professional will ask you to do that will help in regaining your muscle strength, improving joint movement, and enhancing your coordination and balance. These exercises are usually things that you can do at home. One examples is the use of a hand therapy ball. It’s a fun way to help patients recover because they can play games while exercising their hands and practicing control of their movement.

Hydrotherapy

Typical exercises may be strenuous for those suffering from severe joint pains. Hydrotherapy makes it possible for them to exercise without applying too much stress on their joints, making it less painful. You will do the exercise as instructed by the physiotherapist in a pool filled with warm water. It helps strengthen muscles and also decrease joints pains.

Traction

This treatment is commonly used on patients with spinal or back problems. It involves stretching the spine to relieve vertebral disc pressure, which causes pain. Some of the conditions it treats are pinched nerves, disc disease, sciatica, and herniated discs.

Dry needling

Dry needling is the use of fine needles to treat pain and encourage muscle movement. It also helps develop muscle strength. The same needles are used in acupuncture, but their theory and technique differ. More vital stimulation is used in dry needling compared to acupuncture. Patients who are pregnant, diabetic, and are taking medications must consult their physician first before getting this treatment.

Ultrasound

The most common use of ultrasound is checking if a patient is pregnant. However, it is also used in physiotherapy. It can be thermal or non-thermal. Thermal ultrasound uses deep heat to enhance the circulation of blood, thus alleviating pain. Non-thermal ultrasound speeds up healing through gas bubble contraction around the tissues that are injured.

If you suffer from chronic pain or mobility issues, consult a physiotherapist for treatment.