Physical therapy: Encyclopedia II - Physical therapy - Treatment

Physical therapy - Treatment

Guided by the assessment findings, the physiotherapist will then develop and facilitate a treatment plan. Aside from the various physiotherapeutic teachniques involved in therapy, the treatment regimen may include prescribing and advice regarding assistive walking devices; should consider functional progress; and include ongoing review and refinement. Patient education is a key aspect of all treatment plans.

It is difficult to explore the many aspects of physiotherapeutic treatment options, especially considering their ongoing development in the face of an increasing research base. Nonetheless, some examples of treatment options are listed below.

Physical therapy - Musculoskeletal physiotherapy

Various therapeutic physiotherapy modalities are available, including exercise prescription (strength, motor control, stretching and endurance), manual techniques, soft tissue massage, and various forms of so-called "electrophysical agents" (such as cryotherapy, heat therapy and electrotherapy). In recent years, a growing number of physical therapists have employed the Alexander Technique, a movement re-education method.

Despite ongoing research giving a clearer picture regarding the use of various modalities in specific conditions, the benefits of electrotherapy are widely debated.

The practice of physical therapy should not be defined by the use of modalities but rather the integration of examination, history, and analysis of movement dysfunction.

Physical therapy - Cardiopulmonary physiotherapy

Cardiopulmonary physiotherapists work with patients in a variety of settings. They treat acute problems like asthma, acute chest infections and trauma; they are involved in the preparation and recovery of patients from major surgery; they also treat a wide range of chronic cardiac and respiratory conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF) and post-myocardial infarction (MI). They work with all ages from premature babies to older adults at the end of their life. Physiotherapists are pioneering new management techniques for non-organic respiratory problems like hyperventilation and other stress-related disorders as well as leading the development of cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation and non-invasive ventilation.

Cardiopulmonary physiotherapists use physical modalities to treat people. This may involve using manual techniques to clear infected mucus from a person's chest, or using non-invasive ventilation to help a person breathe, or prescribing exercises to improve a patient's functional exercise capacity.

Physical therapy - Neurological physiotherapy

Treatment in neurological conditions is typically based upon exercises to restore motor function through attempting to overcome motor deficits and improve motor patterns. To achieve this aim various theoretical frameworks have been promoted, each based upon inferences drawn from basic and clinical science research. Whilst some of these have remained static, others are designed to take into account new developments, perhaps the most notable example being the "movement science" framework. The various philosophies often generate considerable debate.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Treatment", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki