Physiotherapy or physical therapy is a type of treatment that aims to relieve pain and improve a patient’s quality of life by helping him or her move and function better. Its broad scope makes it suitable for a variety of prevention, management, and recovery applications. Common reasons for visiting a physiotherapy clinic that Singapore citizens trust include recovery for a recently incurred sports injury, restoration of function and mobility in post-stroke patients, and post-operative individuals convalescing from a recent surgery.
Those who suffer from any kind of abnormal physical function related to disability, disease, injury or condition can gain a lot from physiotherapy. Here are a few key benefits of this treatment:
Physiotherapy Offers Relief from Pain
Those living with both acute and chronic pain can find relief in physiotherapy. After a thorough assessment of your specific condition, a physiotherapist can develop a treatment plan that can ease the pain and help you regain your mobility. These interventions can include:
• Therapeutic exercises such as low-impact aerobics, muscle strengthening, and flexibility training can ease pain and increase mobility.
• Stretching helps reduce muscle tension and improves range of motion.
• Massages also reduce tension in the muscles and improve overall circulation.
Physiotherapists may also use ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or heat and cold therapy to treat certain conditions.
Physiotherapy Can Make Surgery Unnecessary
As the invasive process of surgery can often present numerous complications, many medical professionals recommend physiotherapy as a primary intervention. Surgery may not be necessary if the patient has a positive response to physical therapy.
Physiotherapy Helps Athletes Recover
Sports physiotherapists can help athletes get back to fighting form after an acute, chronic, or overuse injury hampers their ability to play. They can also develop sports-specific injury prevention programs to keep athletes from hurting themselves while training or competing. Physical therapists can also help optimise and enhance an athlete’s performance by educating them on proper body mechanics and correct techniques.
Physiotherapy Can Help Post-Stroke Patients Regain Lost Functions
Singapore sees between 7,000 to 8,000 incidences of stroke every year, according to data obtained from the Singapore Stroke Registry. It is a number that is only expected to increase as the population of the country continues to age.
It’s common to see some loss of function and mobility after a patient suffers from a stroke. These can include weakness, paralysis, and fatigue, among others. Physiotherapy can help post-stroke patients recover certain basic motor functions such as standing, walking, sitting, and lying down. Physiotherapists can also support patients in learning how to use assistive devices such as canes or walkers. These therapeutic activities can also have a profound psychological effect, aiding patients in regaining their independence and sense of identity.
Physiotherapy Can Help Manage Age-Related Conditions
Elderly patients are prone to developing a variety of conditions that can impair mobility and physical function. These can include arthritis, osteoporosis, vision problems, and Alzheimer’s disease, among others. Hip and joint replacements, common among older individuals, can also limit movement or cause balance issues.
Geriatric physiotherapy is primarily aimed at restoring mobility and reducing pain in elderly clients. Treatments can include regular exercise to preserve coordination and improve muscle strength as well as flexibility. Manual therapy such as massages and stretches can be used to restore mobility to limbs, improve circulation, and reduce pain. Through physiotherapy, seniors can feel better and benefit from a higher quality of life.
Physiotherapy Can Help Diabetic and Cardiovascular Patients
In some cases, physicians may recommend exercise and diet adjustments to patients that have been recently diagnosed with diabetes. Physiotherapists can help diabetic patients formulate a physical fitness plan that incorporates both aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises to help them lose weight and manage their blood sugar levels without the need for chemical interventions.
Physiotherapy can also be advantageous to those suffering from cardiac or vascular conditions. For instance, cardio-respiratory physiotherapy can clear lung secretions and reduce the effort that a patient needs to exert to breathe. Physical therapy treatments for these patients can also include strengthening and conditioning breathing exercises.
Physiotherapy Can Help Women Deal with Post-Partum Issues
Women can feel a significant amount of pain and discomfort after giving birth. In addition to stretched muscles and softened ligaments, new mothers may suffer from bladder problems, as well as pain in the pelvis, lower back, and pubic symphysis.
Post-natal physiotherapy can address all of these issues while restoring muscle function and improving overall circulation. A physiotherapist should be able to develop an exercise program that can help a new mother’s body recover from the rigours of giving birth. Therapeutic exercises are often centred on strengthening the core muscles, as well as the pelvic floor.
The physical benefits of physiotherapy are endless, but its effects on someone’s mental health and psyche are also worth noting. As a health profession aimed at improving quality of life, physiotherapy can have a profound effect on a person’s physical and psychological well-being, too.
