Physiotherapy by Globalspine.net

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Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is the therapeutic use of physical means, such as massage, exercise, heat or electricity. This includes the restoration of movement, natural breathing, etc., after an operation or an accident.

It is also called Physical Therapy.

The word "physiotherapy" comes from the two Greek words "physio", which means - “nature” and "therapy". This means - "treatment" and together they describe a treatment of disorders by means of natural agents - light, water, heat, electricity, hands-on, and exercise.

Physiotherapy attempts to relief pain and prevents further damage and may also train different muscles to compensate for ones that have been damaged. However, the most useful in treating of spine-related pain and spine disorders part of physiotherapy are manipulative physiotherapy and McKenzie method.

Physiotherapy is practised by physiotherapists (also known as physical therapists, particularly in the United States), though aspects may also be practiced under supervised delegation by physiotherapy assistants or other health professionals.

Assessment

A physiotherapist will initially conduct a subjective examination (interview) of a patient's medical history, and then go on to the objective assessment (physical examination). The subjective examination is guided by the presenting system and complaint, and the objective assessment is in turn guided by the history.

This semistructured process is used to rule out serious pathology (so called red flags), establish functional limitations, refine the diagnosis, guide therapy, and establish a baseline for monitoring progress. As such, the objective exam will then use certain quantifiable measurements to both guide diagnosis and for progress monitoring. These depend upon the system (and area) being managed, e.g. a musculoskeletal exam may involve, inter alia, assessment of joint range of motion, muscle power, motor control and posture, whilst a cardiopulmonary assessment may involve lung auscultation and exercise physiology testing.

Related Info ::

•	Treatment options

•	Healthy back exercise guide

•	Manipulative physio

•	Manipulative treatment

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Materials on GlobalSpine are for general educational information only. It cannot replace the relationship with health-care professional and you should always talk to your health-care professional for diagnosis and treatment.