Physiotherapy helps your body heal quicker and function better. It is based on the science of human movement. Physiotherapists work on injuries, surgeries or any other painful condition that affects how you move daily. You learn to manage pain, balance, movement and motor function under supervision. The treatments focus on two goals- prevention and rehabilitation. In this blog, we will discuss what physiotherapy exactly does for specific conditions and its impact on your overall wellness.
Note- Physiotherapy treatments are not limited to the below-mentioned conditions. The following problems are most frequently reported at physiotherapy clinics all around Brampton.
What Does Physiotherapy Do for Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, affects about 2%-5% of the total general population. It is more common in women than in men. The condition is painful and progresses with time. The condition leads to stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint.
How do physiotherapists treat a frozen shoulder?
Example: A 45-year-old woman, Luna, complains of increasing pain and stiffness in her shoulder for several months. She struggles to do basic activities like cooking or reaching behind her back.
Physiotherapy treatment plan
Assessment and Diagnosis
A frozen shoulder is often confused with rotator cuff injury or osteoarthritis. Both indicate similar symptoms but require a different treatment.
The physiotherapist assesses her injuries and conducts physical tests to diagnose the problem. Frozen shoulder can be primary and secondary. Primary frozen shoulder occurs in people between 40 and 60 years. It develops due to an underlying condition such as diabetes or thyroid. A secondary frozen shoulder occurs from injuries, surgery or other medical conditions like arthritis.
So, the professional determines the severity of shoulder pain through evaluations. They also identify the extent of Luna’s shoulder restriction and any underlying factors that might be adding to the problem.
Techniques to Relieve the Pain
Now the physiotherapist has all the information necessary to customize a treatment plan for the patient’s condition.
Remember, physiotherapy is an evidence-based approach. So, the therapist may modify the techniques involved in the treatment based on the patient’s progress.
Typically, the following techniques form an integral part of frozen shoulder treatment.
Patient Education- Luna may be frustrated with the constant pain and inability to move the shoulder freely. So, the physiotherapist explains the history of the condition, its cause and preventative measures to help the patient become more confident and fearless.
Pain management- The first goal is to reduce the pain. They mainly use heat therapy, ice application or electrical stimulation to control the pain and reduce inflammation.
The physiotherapist assesses the intensity of pain before moving on to the exercises.
Range of motion exercises- Once the pain reduces, the physio focuses on restoring Luna’s shoulder mobility. So, they begin with gentle stretching exercises to improve the shoulder joint’s range of motion.
Strengthening exercises- The physio evaluates the level of pain again along with the mobility of Luna’s shoulders. Next, they introduce strengthening exercises targeting the muscles supporting the shoulder joint. This brings stability and prevents injuries in the future.
Manual therapy- In some cases, physios may prescribe gentle manipulation of the soft tissues in the shoulder to improve its range of motion.
Home exercise regime- Finally, the physiotherapist empowers Luna to lead a healthy life while caring for her shoulder joints. The home exercise regime consists of all such techniques that ensure consistent progress.
Physiotherapy treatments, however, at the right time can help you manage the pain and return to a normal, healthy lifestyle. In the case of serious symptoms, surgery may be the last resort.
What Does Physiotherapy Do for Sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition where a sharp pain travels from the lower back through the back of one of the legs to the toes. The pain may feel infrequent or constant accompanied by discomfort or tingling in the affected leg.
How do physiotherapists treat Sciatica pain?
Example: A 37-year-old man, Robert, has been troubled by a sharp pain down his left leg for several weeks. He says the pain starts in his lower back and makes simple tasks like sitting or standing difficult for long periods.
Physiotherapy treatment plan
Assessment and Diagnosis
Sciatica can occur because of various disorders. Physiotherapists first identify the exact source of the pain. They may ask the patient to perform specific movements like lifting legs one at a time or walking on toes. If Robert finds these activities painful, chances are high that he has sciatica. The physiotherapist then runs a series of diagnostic tests to detect the root cause of the pain.
Techniques to Relieve the Pain
Pain management- Physiotherapists begin with reducing Robert’s pain. They use ice therapy, heat therapy or electrical stimulation to control the pain or inflammation in the sciatic nerve. It is important to reduce the pain for the exercises to relieve the condition successfully.
Posture correction- In today’s lifestyle, poor posture contributes significantly to conditions like sciatica pain. The physio assesses the patient’s posture to identify its impact on the pain levels. They may prescribe exercises to correct the posture which in turn improves Robert’s core strength and stability.
Stretching exercises- The physiotherapists start the stretching exercises once the patient has developed a stable core strength. Subtle stretches relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve and improve flexibility in the hips, lower hamstrings and lower back. Robert restores mobility to some extent due to these exercises.
Mobilization- It is easier to participate in joint mobilization techniques after a few stretches. These reduce nerve compression and enhance joint movement.
The physio uses one or a combination of several techniques to reduce the pain and improve the mobility of the affected joints. Let’s assume David’s pain has improved and he can perform daily life activities.
Home exercise program- At this point, the physio prescribes a home exercise program following which David can progress consistently and prevent further complications.
The time David takes to recover completely depends on the level of his pain, his lifestyle and his current medical status. The home exercise program will help him improve gradually and get back to normal activities with time. The physiotherapist may continue to monitor his progress and advice accordingly.
What Does Physiotherapy Do for Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of connective tissue which connects the heel bone to the toes of your feet. It feels like a stabbing pain at the bottom of the heel, especially while taking the first few steps in the morning. The pain subsides after walking for a while.
How do physiotherapists treat plantar fasciitis?
Example: A 55-year-old woman, Martha, has been complaining of excruciating pain in the left heel for over 3 months. The pain feels almost unbearable specifically in the morning after she wakes up.
Physiotherapy treatment plan
Assessment and diagnosis
The physiotherapist diagnoses the condition based on Martha’s medical history, symptoms and physical exam. An x-ray or ultrasound can confirm the diagnosis as the fascia gets almost 2.16 mm thicker if it’s inflamed or injured.
After diagnosis, the physio evaluates the severity of the condition. They observe Martha’s movement pattern to detect biomechanical factors that may worsen the problem. They may ask her to perform light exercises to assess the flexibility and strength of her ankles, hamstrings and calves.
It is important to assess the flexibility, strength and mobility in the lower extremities to control the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
Techniques to Relieve the Pain
Patient education- Martha must feel frustrated or anxious not being able to walk without severe pain. The physio calms her down. They explain the condition, its causes and management techniques. Martha gets thorough advice on which footwear to wear and exercises to do at home.
Stretching- The fascia often shortens in plantar fasciitis. This shortened fascia results in stabbing pain. So, the physio first reduces the pain through a set of stretching exercises. Light stretches reduce the pain, lengthen the tissue and improve its flexibility. Martha may feel less tension on the heel while stepping on the floor.
The physiotherapist focuses on reducing the pain first. Once that’s achieved, they may recommend that Martha walk on soft surfaces to eliminate the pain.
Strengthening exercises- Strong calf muscles provide better support to the foot arch, reducing tension on the fascia and improving foot function. So, the therapist prescribes calf-strengthening exercises to reduce the stress on the fascia.
Manual therapy- The hands-on manipulation of the foot and ankle’s soft tissues can improve the function of plantar fascia. The physio uses manual therapy to help Martha restore normal movement.
Custom orthotics– Finally, the physio may recommend custom orthotics to maintain the plantar fascia in its healthy condition. The orthotics relieve pressure from the fascia and prevent the condition from worsening.
Martha can feel improvement in her heel pain after the first few sessions. By the end of her treatment, she can resume normal activities without discomfort. The physiotherapist, however, continues to monitor her progress and provide the support she needs.
Wrapping Up,
The goal of physical therapy is to help patients manage pain and restore their normal life without any discomfort. Physical therapists may use a wide range of non-invasive techniques to achieve your health goals as discussed in the blog. It is crucial to address the symptoms as early as possible for the best health outcomes. Also, ensure the physiotherapist is experienced in treating the symptoms and knowledgeable in their respective fields.
