Physiotherapy is a branch of health sciences that uses physical agents (natural elements) to restore function once lost. However, it could prevent it from being lost in individuals or populations.
As a health and university profession, it focuses on human movement and function and maximizing its potential. It uses physical techniques to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being, taking into account variations in health status. That is to say, it takes into account the globality of the patient in the treatment.
Physiotherapy techniques
One of the best known physical techniques and features to restore function through movement is manual therapy. We can mention massages, mobilizations and articular, neural, respiratory, lymphatic, fascial, trigger points, etc. But there are many more techniques, such as therapeutic exercise, therapeutic education, postural reeducation, dry puncture (use of needles) and much more.
In addition, different types of electric currents, lasers, animals, weather, sun or other energies that can help as part of treatment can be used.
Manual therapy
When we talk about manual therapies or use of the hands as therapy we always think about a massage but it really is any action by hand in any health problem. Therefore it can be useful for patients with respiratory, gynaecological, vascular problems, etc.
Therapeutic exercise
With the therapeutic exercise it happens the same, specialists can prescribe it for a trauma problem such as a sprain, but also in patients with heart, neurological, etc. Swimming pool techniques, stability techniques, balance, machines or mechanotherapy, integration of Yoga, Pilates or any type of movement that induces patient improvement are useful.
Another example is the postural reeducation of tone, synergies and pathological neuro-motor patterns that are useful for patients with neurological problems. For instance, children with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis etc.
Dry puncture
Needles of different shapes are also a good therapeutic option. On the one hand, dry puncture uses the needle to deactivate trigger points, mainly in muscle aches. But also in ailments related to the nervous system such as spasticity. In addition, any needle technique can be reinforced by the use of another technique, for example, electrotherapy. This allows giving stimuli to the body, different from those caused by the needle alone or to reach little or not accessible trigger points by hand.
Electrotherapy
The study of electric current as therapy is called electrotherapy. It can help to relieve pain and allows to diagnose injuries. This therapy also improves the recovery of muscles and nerves. It can also be combined with exercises obtaining more benefits, used along with acupuncture (electroacupuncture) etc.
Any of the technical foundations of physiotherapy is useful for any patient. It allows treating a certain type of pathologies.
At the London Spine Unit, we have the best specialists in physiotherapy. Book an appointment to get a checkup.
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What is manual therapy?
When we talk about manual therapies or use of the hands as therapy we always think about a massage but it really is any action by hand in any health problem. Therefore it can be useful for patients with respiratory, gynaecological, vascular problems, etc.
What is therapeutic exercise?
With the therapeutic exercise it happens the same, specialists can prescribe it for a trauma problem such as a sprain, but also in patients with heart, neurological, etc. Swimming pool techniques, stability techniques, balance, machines or mechanotherapy, integration of Yoga, Pilates or any type of movement that induces patient improvement are useful.
What is dry puncture?
Needles of different shapes are also a good therapeutic option. On the one hand, dry puncture uses the needle to deactivate trigger points, mainly in muscle aches. But also in ailments related to the nervous system such as spasticity. In addition, any needle technique can be reinforced by the use of another technique, for example, electrotherapy. This allows giving stimuli to the body, different from those caused by the needle alone or to reach little or not accessible trigger points by hand.
What is electrotherapy?
The study of electric current as therapy is called electrotherapy. It can help to relieve pain and allows to diagnose injuries. This therapy also improves the recovery of muscles and nerves. It can also be combined with exercises obtaining more benefits, used along with acupuncture (electroacupuncture) etc.
