Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is a specialization in medicine that focuses on reintegrating the patient back to their lifestyle. While physiotherapy and rehabilitation are used interchangeably, there is a fine difference between the two. Rehabilitation is the umbrella term for restoring and reintegrating the patient’s physical and mental health to their original form of health, while physiotherapy is a subtype of rehabilitation that focuses on restoring only the patient’s physical functioning back to its original state.

Physiotherapy, as the name suggests, focuses more on the movement of physical parts and body strength. On the other hand, rehabilitation may include physiotherapy and mental health therapy, depending on the severity and type of disease. Rehabilitation and physiotherapy can be provided from a hospital, private clinic, or a person’s home.

Why are physiotherapy and rehabilitation done?

• To optimize physical functioning and patient well-being
• To reintegrate the patient back to their lifestyle at home and work
• To help recover from an injury
• In the management of long-term physical and mental health disorders
• Shorten the stay at the hospital

What are the conditions treated by physiotherapy and rehabilitation?

• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease
• Stroke
• Falls
• Speech and language after an injury
• Burns
• Cerebral palsy
• Mental disorders such as depression
• Vision loss
• Leg amputation
• Vertigo or dizziness
• Neurological disorders
• Obstruction in the movement of joints
• Jaw pain
• Occupational injuries
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Urinary incontinence and lymphedema
• Diabetes and vascular diseases
• Pelvic health, bowel movement, fibromyalgia

If you suffer from any of the above conditions, please visit the nearest Apollo hospital.

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Greater Noida. Call: 18605002244

What are the types of physiotherapy and rehabilitation?

Physiotherapy effectively speeds up the healing process for patients suffering from the above conditions. The following are the different types of treatments used in physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

• Electrotherapy: This is a type of physiotherapy where electrical stimulation is delivered to patients suffering from paralysis or limited movement.
• Cryotherapy and heat therapy: People complaining of sore or stiff muscles apply heat therapy or cryotherapy to the affected area to relieve muscle tightness. Heat therapy requires applying paraffin wax or hot packs and cryotherapy involves putting ice packs on the affected area.
• Soft tissue mobilization: Also known as therapeutic massage, this technique helps in reducing the swelling in the affected area. It also helps in blood circulation, lymph flow, and muscle relaxation.
• Kinesio taping: This technique involves applying a Kinesio tape to stabilize the muscles while the patient undergoes medical treatment.
• Range of motion exercises: Range of motion exercises are given to keep the body moving and facilitate joint movement and blood circulation. They help avoid muscle atrophy and musculoskeletal issues.
• Cognitive rehabilitation: This type of rehabilitation improves thinking, memory, and reasoning skills.

What are the benefits of physiotherapy and rehabilitation?

The following are the benefits of physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

• Improves movement and motility
• Improves balance
• Prevention of falls
• Recovery from injury or stroke
• Management of pain with the reduced use of medications
• Improves the quality of life and well-being of the patient
• Reduces the likelihood of going for surgeries
• Prevents the likelihood of developing diseases
• Reduces pain through exercises and improving mobilization
• Creates awareness about support programs to prevent recurrence of the injury or medical conditions.
• Builds strength and balance

Conclusion

Rehabilitation is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on optimizing movement and reintegrating the patient into their original lifestyle. While rehabilitation encompasses a broad range of treatments, physiotherapy is one of the methods used to treat a host of medical conditions, including speech, musculoskeletal diseases, and neurological diseases. Electrotherapy, cryotherapy, and range of motion exercises are the types of treatment used in rehabilitation. Consistently doing physiotherapy under a trained team of professionals can help patients manage their diseases and improve their quality of life.