Physiotherapy Aim - Case Study Example

 TABLE OF CONTENT Introduction………………………………………………………………………….3 Background………………………………………………………………………….4 Details……………………………………………………………………………….5 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………..6 References…………………………………………………………………………..7 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSIOTHERAPY Physiotherapy can be defined as “the treatment of disease, bodily defects, or bodily weakness by physical remedies, as massage, special exercises etc. rather than by drugs” (The Free Dictionary, 2011). Physiotherapy aims to alleviate problems of the skeletal and muscular structures leading to impairment or lack of functioning of these systems (Kumar, 2005, pp 6). Physiotherapy is now a widely used treatment for many problems and health care areas, which can include orthopedics, neurology, chest, pediatrics, gynecology and geriatrics, nephrology, cancer, sports, post cardiothoracic surgery, general surgery (Burnett, 2006, pp 2 and 3). Through the use of different techniques, physiotherapy aims to improve the functioning of the different malfunctions of the body and help in the recovery processes due to illness or injury (Kumar, 2005, pp 6). The key areas therefore, where physiotherapy is utilized includes prevention of injury from taking place in susceptible individuals, acute care, rehabilitation in various illnesses and injuries, maintenance of functional mobility or best achievable health in at risk patients such as the elderly or patients with chronic illnesses, for patient and carer education, and occupational health respectively (Kumar, 2005, pp 6, Burnett, 2006, pp 4). The type of work leads to many applications of physical therapy. Physical therapists may be involved in providing general public information about how to maintain the correct posture or life heavy objects without hurting self. They may be involved in educating pregnant women about how to maintain their body balance and ways to maintain their postures (Burnett, 2006, pp 3 and 4). They are actively involved in caring for a rehabilitation of children with various mental or physical retardations. Providing rehabilitation to patients with various illnesses as mentioned above are also another key area of their services. The locations for carrying out physiotherapy can range from hospitals to rehabilitation centers, to private clinics or home visiting teams respectively. The physiotherapists are able to carry out these treatments through a range of techniques, which include manipulation and massages, exercise, hydrotherapy, vibration, ultrasound, and the use of infrared and ultraviolet radiation respectively (Burnett, 2006, pp 4). BACKGROUND The origins of physiotherapy are uncertain, for methods such as massage and heat therapy was utilized by people for long time to treat various muscular injuries. However, the true scope of physiotherapy probably emerged during the Second World War, where soldiers were the first to experiment the use of it (Kumar, 2005, pp 6). The effectiveness of these methods led to more research and innovation, with the result that physiotherapy gradually came to be known as a separate entity in medical and allied health fields. This led to the creation of first ever diploma and degree programs specific for physical therapy (Kumar, 2005, pp 6). Some claim that the origins of various techniques such as massage therapies and hydrotherapeutics were invented and utilized by the Chinese for as long as 3000 BC (Dreeben-Irimia, 2010, pp 3). Ancient China, India and Greece have been involved in utilizing its various forms and methods for quite some time, as evidenced by their ancient medical texts (Dreeben Irimia, 2010, pp 3). A common confusion in this regard is the difference between physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractice. Physiotherapy, as mentioned is the use of various exercises and tools to improve the manipulation of certain parts of the body, which may include only one joint or the entire body (Sports Medicine Information, 2011, np). Chiropractic practice differs in its approach by treating the spine only, and thereby eliciting health benefits. Finally, osteopathy retains its focus to those structures which belong to the musculoskeletal system (Sports Medicine Information, 2011, np). DETAILS Physiotherapy is essentially based on the principles of biomechanics. Therefore, there are two main aspects that govern it. These include kinetics and kinematics (Kumar, 2005, pp 8). The former refers to those forces that produce motion or maintain equilibrium. The latter indicates description of that motion, without concerns of forces that produce it (Kumar, 2005, pp 8). Based on these two concepts, there come a variety of terms that are commonly used in physiotherapy, such as force, centre of gravity, line of gravity, axis, plane and many others (Kumar, 2005, pp 11). These concepts then help identify the different range of motion that each muscle group or part of the body is able to carry out. Based on this information, different exercises are carried out to strengthen that working of the muscle group, thereby enhancing recovery and performance power of the organ (Kumar, 2005, pp 11). In order to achieve the best results, the physiotherapists also take history of the patient, and his or her concerns regarding certain illness and treatment procedures (Herbert, 2005, pp 12). Physical therapists come to their own conclusions about a certain problem and then interact with the health care team of the patient and discuss treatment strategies (Herbert, 2005, pp 12). The role of the physical therapist may come before, during or after the intended treatment, meaning that his or her importance is valid in the clinical scenario (Herbert, 2005, pp 12). Broadly speaking, the different kinds of treatments provided in physiotherapy fall in one of the four categories, or are some form of combinations of these. These include massages, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, and exercise and movement respectively (Sports Medicine Information, 2011, np). Each of these may be recommended in isolation or in combination with each other to gain the desired result. Physiotherapy has been extremely helpful in the field of sports, where athletes have to face multiple injuries from time to time. Here physiotherapists are most likely to deal with medical conditions such as muscle pain, strains, muscle tears, fractures and breaks and repetitive strain injuries respectively (Sports Medicine Information, 2011, np). These treatments have been found to reduce the severity of muscular injuries and increase the range of motion among the patients. Alongside, it is a very valuable tool for patients who suffer from physical handicap (Sports Medicine Information, 2011, np). Physiotherapy helps patients improve their recovery rate, increase their performance level, and even protect themselves from future injury by strengthening their weak body areas (Sports Medicine Information, 2011, np). CONCLUSION Physiotherapy has emerged as an important adjuvant to medical therapeutics and has proven its range in a variety of clinical ailments. There is however, much more research needed in this field to understand its full potential and impact on the health care industry. REFERENCES Burnett James (James R.), 2006. Getting into Physiotherapy Courses. Crimson Publishing. Definition, Physiothearpy. The Free Dictionary, 2011. Site last accessed on March 10th, 2011 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/physiotherapy Dreeben-Irimia Olga, 2010. Introduction to Physical Therapy for Physical ­Therapist Assistants. Jones and Barlett Learning. Herbert Rob, 2005. Practical Evidence-Based Physiotherapy. Elsevier Health Sciences. Kumar Praveen, 2005. Fundamentals of Physiotherapy. Jaypee Brothers Publishers Sports Medicine Information, 2011, np. Site last accessed on March 10th, 2011 from http://www.nsmi.org.uk/articles/physiotherapy/physiotherapy-difference.html Read More