Physiotherapy can help relieve several health concerns. It aids faster recovery from surgery and physical injuries and even helps manage the symptoms of some neurological conditions.
Additionally, its efficiency today continues to improve with the help of new advances in technology.
There are different types of physical therapy appropriate for particular medical problems. Physical therapists have specific specializations addressing completely different conditions to ensure each patient gets the proper care they need.
That said, here are six types of medical conditions and how physiotherapy can help.
1. Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy is caused by mutations and deletions in genes that affect the growth of muscles.
As a result, patients may show symptoms like loss of muscle mass leading to weakness, muscle pain, and stiffness.
There are several types of muscular dystrophy affecting a wide age range. For example, Duchenne can show symptoms starting from early childhood. Experts have been working on gene-editing technology to stop its progression. Since the cure for this condition has yet to be discovered, physical therapy provides a temporary solution that slows down its symptoms.
Physiotherapy can help increase a patient’s mobility. Light physical exercise guided by a physiotherapist can prevent muscle deformities. A program may include stretching, motion exercises, and even aquatic therapy like swimming and other water exercises.
Muscular dystrophy may vary in severity of symptoms and progression. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to consult a licensed physical therapist to plan a program that suits your needs.
If you’re residing around Ontario, you may reach out to health and wellness centers that offer comprehensive treatment plans like Brampton physiotherapy clinic.
2. Vertigo
Vertigo is a sensation of imbalance and dizziness. It can be triggered by a sudden change of position and other health conditions like migraine, vestibular neuritis, and Meniere’s disease.
Although its symptoms are similar closely to motion sickness, the false spinning sensation differs in severity.
Since vertigo is more of a manifestation of other health concerns, its medication depends on the underlying causes. If a person is experiencing dizziness that lasts for minutes or imbalance when moving, it’s best to consult a GP.
Although vertigo might disappear as medications take effect, physiotherapy can help alleviate the symptoms during treatment.
Patients suffering from vertigo greatly benefit from balance training included in comprehensive vestibular rehabilitation therapy. It can help maintain your balance while walking and standing up from a sitting position.
3. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction affects a person’s control of their pelvic floor muscles. This group of muscles is concerned with urination, bowel movements, and keeping reproductive organs in place.
The loss of control of one’s pelvic floor muscles can cause incontinence, constipation, painful urination, lower back pain, and general discomfort in the pelvic area. The treatment plan for each patient depends on the root causes.
However, physical therapy greatly helps maintain one’s daily routine during medication.
Pelvic floor physical therapy includes a wide range of pelvic exercises that depend on the patient’s condition and severity of symptoms. This type of therapy focuses on regaining your control in the contraction and relaxation of pelvic floor muscles. The appropriate physiotherapy can help alleviate symptoms and ease discomfort.
As a result, patients can go back to their normal activities and even participate in sports.
4. Cardiopulmonary Conditions
Cardiopulmonary conditions are a range of health problems concerning the heart and lungs. Some of the most common conditions include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, congestive heart failure, and emphysema. These diseases may affect patients’ breathing, which causes a lack of endurance even during light physical activities.
While medication and even surgery can aid these conditions, the right physical therapy can help increase one’s cardiovascular stamina.
Cardiopulmonary physical therapy programs may include breathing exercises, graded cardiovascular exercises, and muscle resistance exercises.
Physiotherapy can also serve as aftercare for patients who have gone through surgery. Suitable treatment plans can aid quicker and more efficient recovery by helping patients regain their strength and endurance and ease pain and discomfort.
5. Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition wherein bones become weak, brittle, and prone to fracture. While it can affect people of different ages, women of older age are more likely to develop this disease. Its symptoms are poor posture, back pain, and bone fracture caused by light pressure or bending.
Osteoporosis risk factors include age, sex, genetics, lifestyle choices, hormone levels, medications, and medical conditions. However, taking enough calcium and exercising can help prevent developing this disease.
When symptoms are already present, it’s best to consult your doctor to get the proper medication along with appropriate physical therapy. Your physical therapy plan may include weight, resistance, and balance exercises to regain correct posture and promote bone health.
6. Musculoskeletal Injuries
Musculoskeletal injuries are common problems concerning bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, resulting in pain and discomfort. Its causes include incorrect posture, high-impact accidents, and poor fitness habits.
Some of the most common musculoskeletal injuries are ligament sprain, herniated disc, tendon strain, tension neck syndrome, and more.
Innovative physiotherapy plans for patients experiencing these conditions may include guidance from other health specialists aside from a physical therapist to help quicken the recovery.
Physical therapy may ease pain caused by moderate to severe musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, it can also increase patients’ mobility and physical endurance.
A Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation machine or TENS, a physiotherapy machine, can help in reducing muscle pain and discomfort.
Conclusion
Physiotherapy has extreme advantages for diverse types of health conditions.
To know the appropriate physical therapy best for your health concerns, seek professional advice for accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment plan.
Tiana Pollack
Tiana Pollack is currently taking a Master’s in Physiotherapy in Aberdeen.
She has been writing health and fitness blogs for five years. Also, she enjoys reading, yoga, and hiking during her free time.
