Physiotherapy

WHAT IS PHYSIOTHERAPY?

Physiotherapy (PT) can be used to maximise a child’s ability to move and control pain in the joints, muscles and bones. It also helps to improve a child’s range of movement in order to promote heath and well-being. Physiotherapy is non-invasive and does not involve the use of medication.

Physiotherapists concentrate, in particular, on problems that affect muscles, bones, the heart, circulation and lungs. They are often based in hospital departments but some work from family health centres.

WHAT DOES A PHYSIOTHERAPIST DO?

Physiotherapists are trained to evaluate and improve movement and function of the body, with particular attention to physical mobility, balance, posture, fatigue, and pain. The physical therapy program typically involves educating the child about the physical problems caused by their disability, designing an individualised exercise program to address the problems, and enhancing mobility and energy conservation through the use of a variety of mobility aids and adaptive equipment.

WHO DOES PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP?

PT can help a variety of types of disorders including neurological, orthopaedic and paediatric.

Neurological: Physiotherapy can be used to help children who have a neurological condition that affects the nervous system, such as Multiple Sclerosis, stroke and Cerebral Palsy.

Orthopaedic: Physiotherapy can be used to treat conditions or injuries that affect the bones, joints and muscles, such as sports injuries and arthritis. It is often used to assist rehabilitation after orthopaedic surgery.

Paediatric: Physiotherapy can be used to treat children who have conditions which affect their muscles or skeleton. Some of these conditions such as Muscular Dystrophy may be present from birth. These and other conditions may require the child to have help to improve balance, strength and co-ordination. Physiotherapy may be recommended for conditions such as Dyspraxia and Cerebral Palsy.

HOW DOES PHYSIOTHERAPY WORK?

Physiotherapists usually take a holistic approach by looking at the child’s body as a whole rather than focusing on individual factors. Education is also an important part of physiotherapy because as well as aiming to improve a child’s  strength and mobility, physiotherapy also teaches them how to manage their condition more effectively.

PHYSIOTHERAPY TECHNIQUES

Physiotherapists use a range of techniques including massage and manipulation, exercise and movement, electrotherapy and hydrotherapy.

Massage and Manipulation: Massage and Manipulation involves manipulating the soft tissues of the body. Different types of massage are used to treat different conditions, for example, to improve circulation, to improve movement of different parts of the body, or to relieve pain and help relaxation.

Exercise and Movement: Physiotherapy often includes lots of different types of exercise and movement to help with particular problems. This may include gentle exercise, such as walking or swimming, or specific exercises to target certain areas of the body. Exercises are designed to strengthen the body and improve the person’s range of movement, and normally need to be repeated daily for a number of weeks.

Electrotherapy: Electrotherapy uses electrical impulses to stimulate a child’s nervous system. These impulses are thought to override pain messages and help promote the healing process. There are several different types of electrotherapy including ultrasound (using high frequency sound waves to stimulate blood circulation), laser therapy (using lasers to stimulate cell function in order to relieve pain) and shortwave diathermy (generating heat within the body’s tissue to strengthen the tissues and reduce pain).

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy uses exercises sessions in heated water to improve mobility and relieve pain.

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Although the information we have provided here is meant to be helpful to you, Douglas Silas Solicitors cannot be held responsible for any damage or loss caused by any inaccuracy or reliance placed upon it. If you have any concerns about your child, you should seek professional educational or healthcare advice as soon as possible.