Physiotherapy – what is it actually?

Physiotherapy can involve movement exercises, massages and physical applications. Physiotherapy treatment is intended to relieve pain, make you more flexible or help to strengthen weakened muscles. Another important goal is to show patients what they can do for their own health. Therapy is therefore not limited to the practice or hospital, but can and should also be continued independently at home.

Physiotherapy includes

• active movement exercises (often called "physiotherapy"),
• guided (passive) movements and pressure (therapeutic hand movements and massages) or
• treatments with heat, cold, electrical stimuli or ultrasound.

Its procedures are used to treat acute and chronic complaints, but also for prevention or rehabilitation after long-term illnesses, operations or injuries.
Which treatment is appropriate depends partly on the complaints and the illness - but also on whether the pain is acute or has been present for a long time, for example. Personal preferences and general physical condition also play a role.

When is physiotherapy an option? Physiotherapy is possible for, among other things, the following:

• Back pain
• Complaints caused by wear and tear or injuries to muscles, tendons or joints
• Arthrosis problems
• Pelvic floor problems such as incontinence or pain
• Rheumatism
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Respiratory diseases
• Neurological diseases such as Parkinson's, stroke or multiple sclerosis
• Developmental problems in children, for example of muscles or bones

Last but not least, physiotherapy can also help people who need help and care - for example, to train everyday movements, strengthen muscles and avoid falls.

What does physiotherapy involve?
The most important component of physiotherapy is active movement therapy or "physiotherapy". This refers to exercises to improve mobility, coordination and muscle strength, which are carried out by the physiotherapist under the instructions of the physiotherapist. The therapy appointments are usually used to learn the exercises. In order for them to help, you then have to do them independently and regularly at home. Physiotherapy often aims to bring more physical activity into everyday life in addition to the specific exercises.
Passive movement exercises are sometimes used. This means that the therapist moves the patient's limbs. This can improve the mobility of stiff or blocked joints, among other things. Such guided movements can also prepare for active exercises, as long as the leg or arm, for example, cannot yet be put under strain.

In addition to movement therapy, massages and hand movements to loosen muscles and connective tissue, there are other treatment methods in physiotherapy that are collectively referred to as physical therapies. 

These include:

• Lymphatic drainage (massage to drain tissue fluid)
• Electrotherapy: treatment with a weak current
• Heat treatments: for example with baths, mud packs, heat lamps or ultrasound
• Cold treatments: for example with cold packs or cold air
• Some of these treatments can also be combined.
• What should the treatment achieve? Depending on the illness and personal situation, the treatment can have different focuses, for example:
• Promoting or restoring mobility and body functions
• Improving metabolism and blood circulation
• Relieving pain
• Improving coordination and strength
• Compensating for physical disabilities: for example, training the left arm if the right is paralyzed
• Preventing chronic complaints

Who offers physiotherapy?

Physiotherapies are offered by trained physiotherapists. In addition, masseuses, masseurs and medical bath attendants are also allowed to offer massages and physical therapies such as heat treatment or electrotherapy.
Physiotherapies are offered both outpatient and inpatient - for example in physiotherapy practices, hospitals, rehabilitation clinics and care facilities.

How do you get physiotherapy?
In clinics, physiotherapy is often part of the treatment plan and then takes place on site. For outpatient treatment in a physiotherapy practice, you need a doctor's prescription. A prescription usually includes 6 units of 15 to 20 minutes each. Appointments are offered approximately 1 to 3 times a week, depending on the doctor's prescription.
The therapy must be started no later than 28 days after the prescription date, otherwise the prescription will be invalid. If urgent treatment is required, the deadline is 14 days

Quelle: Gesundheitsinformation.de