Physical therapy benefits, devices and diseases it treats

Medical articles

Physical therapy benefits, devices and diseases it treats

Medical articles

Reviewed by: Dr. Suhail Essam Yaghmour, Consultant in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Physical therapy is a branch of health care that aims to restore movement, improve function, and relieve pain in individuals affected by injury or disease.

ما هو العلاج الطبيعي؟

Physical therapy, also known as physical therapy, is a branch of medical care concerned with maintaining, enhancing or restoring movement and physical function that have been impaired by disease, injury or disability.

It involves therapeutic exercises, a range of techniques and physical exercises using specialized equipment to treat a wide range of medical problems.

One of the main principles of physical therapy is its holistic approach to care.

Who is a physical therapist?

A physical therapist is a medical professional who specializes in evaluating and treating movement and functional problems or disorders resulting from injuries, diseases, or disabilities.

He also uses appropriate techniques during treatment, such as: therapeutic exercises, massage, heat therapy, cold therapy, and electrical stimulation to improve mobility, reduce pain and promote recovery.

In addition, the physical therapist works with patients to develop a customized treatment plan, aiming to restore physical functions, improve quality of life, and prevent exposure to future injuries. He is also qualified with a degree in physical therapy, and is licensed to practice the profession in accordance with medical standards in his country.

What diseases are treated with physical therapy?

Physical therapy may be beneficial for individuals of all ages with a wide range of health conditions.

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system: Physical therapy seeks to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and enhance the overall function of the skeletal and musculoskeletal system and its problems, which include:

آلام الظهر.
Neck pain, especially that accompanies injury.
Shoulder pain.
الإصابات الرياضية.
التهاب المفاصل.
هشاشة العظام.

Nervous system disorders: Physical therapists work closely with patients to improve motor control, balance, coordination, and strength through targeted exercises and specialized techniques, in cases of the following diseases:

stroke.
التصلب المتعدد.
Parkinson's disease.
إصابات الحبل الشوكي.
Cerebral palsy.

Heart and respiratory disorders: Physical therapy is beneficial for individuals who suffer from heart and respiratory diseases.

النوبات القلبية.
مرض الانسداد الرئوي المزمن (COPD).
الربو.
Cystic fibrosis.

Physical therapy for the back

One of the most prominent cases that physical therapists encounter is cases of back pain, as physical therapy is effective for relieving lower back pain in many cases, and includes posture correction exercises to enhance strength and overall spinal health.

Therapists can also help identify the source of back pain and provide treatments or preventative measures to manage it.

Below we explain to you the most important exercises to relieve back pain:

Lie on your back, bend your knees, and keep your feet touching the floor.
Sit on the edge of the chair and lean forward, keeping your back straight.
Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet touching the floor.

It can also help you improve or regain mobility and reduce pain in the back. For lower back pain Effective and necessary.

احجز استشارتك الأن فى مركز العلاج الطبيعي At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital

What are the departments of physical therapy?

Physical therapy departments include many specialties, based on treatment areas and target groups, and each department uses customized techniques such as exercises, manual therapy, or assistive devices depending on the case. Here is a list of the most important departments:

1. Physical treatment for bones and joints

It focuses on the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries such as fractures and sprains, back pain, and rehabilitation after orthopedic surgeries, and uses therapeutic exercises, heat, and electrical devices.

2. Physical therapy for nerves

It targets nervous system disorders such as stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis to improve movement and balance, and aims to improve balance, movement, and muscle coordination.

3. Physical therapy for children

It is called pediatric physiatry, and it treats children's conditions such as cerebral palsy, delayed motor development, or congenital disabilities to enhance motor abilities.

4. Respiratory and cardiac physical therapy

It helps in rehabilitating heart attack patients, treating respiratory problems such as asthma and COPD, improving breathing efficiency after surgical operations, and uses breathing exercises and drainage techniques.

5. Sports physical therapy

Called sports medicine, it focuses on the prevention and treatment of sports injuries, rehabilitation after sports surgeries, and rehabilitation to improve athletic performance.

6. Physical therapy for the elderly

It aims to improve movement, balance, and strength in the elderly to prevent falls and enhance motor independence, in addition to treating osteoporosis.

7. Natural treatment for women's health

Postpartum rehabilitation includes treatment of pelvic pain, exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, and rehabilitation of women after gynecological surgeries, and it also treats conditions such as urinary incontinence.

جلسات علاج طبيعي

Physical therapists use a variety of techniques and interventions to meet each patient's needs.

Education and advice: As part of their role, specialists provide education and advice to patients about different aspects of their condition. This includes information about sitting or sleeping positions, correct lifting techniques, strategies to prevent further injury and how to manage symptoms.
Exercise and Movement Therapy: Exercise therapy is an essential part of physical therapy, through specific exercises designed to improve muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
Manual therapy: involves the use of specialists in deliberate manipulation of the body's tissues and muscles, including joint mobilization, soft tissue massage, and stretching.

In addition to the techniques mentioned above, physical therapists may use other specialized interventions, such as Hydrotherapy, which involves performing exercises in water, providing a low-impact environment that may be beneficial for individuals with certain conditions.

انواع العلاج الطبيعي

Types of physical therapy are divided into several categories, depending on the treatment method and the patient’s health condition. The most prominent of these types are:

Manual therapy: It relies on the use of the specialist's hands to move the muscles and joints, and is used to improve flexibility, relieve pain, and increase range of motion.
Therapeutic exercise therapy: It includes special exercises designed according to each patient's condition, and is used to strengthen muscles, improve balance, and restore motor ability.
Electrotherapy: It involves the use of electrical devices such as TENS, shortwave, and infrared stimulation, and is used to reduce pain and stimulate muscles.
Water therapy: It is done in designated aquariums, helps reduce pressure on joints and improves mobility, and is used especially after injuries or surgeries.
Heat and cold therapy: Heat is used to reduce muscle spasms and increase blood flow, while cold is used to reduce inflammation and swelling.
العلاج بالليزر: It is used to stimulate cellular healing and reduce pain and inflammation, especially in cases of tendon or joint inflammation.
العلاج بالموجات فوق الصوتية: It is used to increase blood flow in deep tissues, speed up healing and reduce pain.

Stretching therapy: It is used in cases of herniated disc or vertebrae problems, and works to relieve pressure on the nerves and spine.

فوائد العلاج الطبيعي

Physical therapy offers many benefits to individuals affected by injury or disability, some of which are as follows:

Restore movement and function, increase range of motion, and enhance overall physical function.
Pain relief and comfort: The specialist can target specific areas of pain or muscle tension, and work to improve joint mobility.
Preventing potential injuries: The role of physical therapy is not limited to providing care to individuals recovering from an injury or illness, but also includes improving the individuals' general health and preventing future injuries.

Thanks to its positive effects on movement, function, and pain, physical therapy can contribute to significantly improving individuals' quality of life, helping to improve the ability to perform daily activities, participate in hobbies, and enhance psychological and mental comfort.

Physical therapy devices

Physical therapy sessions often involve the use of specialized devices and equipment;

Angle gauges: These are tools used to measure the range of motion of joints in the body.
Dynamometers: Used to measure muscle strength.
Ultrasound devices: These devices use high-frequency sound waves to generate heat and promote blood flow to affected areas, which helps in the healing process.
Electrotherapy devices, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) devices, deliver electrical pulses to relieve pain and stimulate muscle contractions.
Mobility aids and walking aids, to help individuals with balance, stability and mobility.

Physical therapists evaluate the specific needs of each patient and recommend appropriate mobility aids to facilitate safe and independent movement during the rehabilitation process.

Physical therapy is effective in managing and treating a wide range of health conditions, and aims to improve movement and function, and reduce pain, which contributes to improved quality of life.

With continuous advancement in this field and medical research, more innovative techniques and advanced interventions are expected, enhancing the effectiveness of physical therapy in improving the health and wellness of individuals.

When do we resort to physical therapy?

We usually resort to physical therapy when we suffer from problems that affect movement or physical functions.

After fractures or surgeries to speed up recovery and restore mobility.
In cases of herniated disc and back and neck pain.
When suffering from paralysis or stroke, to improve balance and muscle coordination.
For children who suffer from delayed motor development or congenital malformations.
For women after childbirth or in cases of uterine prolapse and weak pelvic muscles.
In cases of sports injuries or to rehabilitate athletes after operations.
To treat breathing problems or improve respiratory capacity after chronic diseases.

Frequently asked questions

What is the function of physical therapy?

The job of physical therapy involves joint mobilization and movement training as well as strength exercises, focusing on inflammation, treating sprains, bones and tendons as well as fractures.

What is the difference between natural medicine and physical therapy?

Physical therapy is one of the specialties that includes natural medicine, as it aims to exclude medications in treatment and rely mainly on exercises. Natural medicine is the means that aims to find effective solutions that reduce the side effects caused by medications.