Physiotherapy is recommended for children with congenital problems, teenagers with postural deficiencies, sport injuries in children and adults and those in their twilight years who experience joint pains and other degenerative conditions. “The science of healing and the art of caring,” is how the American Association of Physical Therapists [APTA] describes physiotherapy. For people who suffer from some disability or chronic illness, it is the key to restoring physical function to a level that will permit them to live a near normal life.

How it helps

When a person seeks the services of a physiotherapist, the therapist will make a complete assessment of the health condition, including history, pain and movement patterns, strength and reflexes of joints, sensation and cardio-respiratory status. Based on this data, he/she establishes a diagnosis and prepares a treatment programme. The treatment may also include breathing and physical exercises and stretches, electrotherapy, mobilisation, acupuncture, ergonomic assessment and advice, ultrasound imaging analysis and rehabilitation with EMG biofeedback, depending on the condition of the patient.

Musculosketal [Orthopaedic] physiotherapy deals with muscles, bones and joints. Patients include those with neck pain and headaches, low back pain, sciatica, arthritis and knee pain, sports-related injuries or post-surgical rehabilitation. In this, the line of treatment that may be followed by the physiotherapist would most likely include massage, joint mobilisation, manipulation, stretches, electrotherapy [ultrasound, interferential, shortwave, microwave, laser], heat and cold, correction of posture and lifting techniques, and hydrotherapy.

Cardiothoracic physiotherapy deals with the function of the heart and respiratory system. Patients with chronic respiratory disorders like emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, as also patients who have undergone any type of cardiac or thoracic surgery and patients in the ICU come under the care of a cardiothoracic physiotherapist. Apart from exercise programmes, breathing techniques either to reduce shortness of breath or increase lung expansion, oxygen therapy, use of mechanical ventilators, sputum clearance with vibrations, coughing, deep breathing and suction and mobilising are used for treatment.

Neurological physiotherapy deals with nervous system disorders. The physiotherapist who has specialised in neurology is involved in the assessment and treatment of patients suffering from conditions like acquired brain injuries/head injuries, strokes, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, balance disorders or spinal cord injuries.

Who will benefit?

Women of all ages, right from adolescence when they sometimes suffer from severe menstrual pain and cramps, to pregnancy and childbirth, and later menopausal discomfort, will benefit from physiotherapy. Simple breathing and exercise techniques help the adolescent to control the pain. Prenatal exercises take into account the safety of the foetus, and include low-impact aerobics, muscle strengthening and relaxation exercises. After childbirth, you are put back on track with postnatal exercises. After evaluating you for postural problems or abdominal weakness, a programme is designed to gradually strengthen your muscles. The programme may include pelvic floor exercises to prevent incontinence [difficulty in bladder control]. Women who have undergone hysterectomy or mastectomy are put on specific exercise programmes with emphasis on complete recovery.

Athletes and sportspersons require a complete fitness programme as they are prone to injury. While recovering from an injury, specific physiotherapy treatment is given for recovery and strengthening of the injured bone or muscle.

Aging brings along a host of ailments including osteoporosis [bones that were once strong, become fragile due to depletion of calcium], osteoarthritis [an inflammation of the joints due to aging, wear and tear, or injury], and urinary incontinence. Physiotherapy helps in the treatment of incontinence as it strengthens pelvic floor muscles, which may prevent the onset of incontinence or help to reverse the process. A physiotherapist can help reduce pain, prevent fractures, and help strengthen your bones through a programme of exercise designed to improve your posture and enhance sense of balance.

In war affected zones, the role of the physiotherapist is extremely important. Injuries on the battlefield, may sometimes call for amputation. In most cases, where the amputation is done on the leg, the amputee will be learning to balance all over again. Whether the amputation is done on the hand or the leg, overcoming phantom pains [pains where the limb used to be] or gradually getting the patient accustomed to using a prosthetic limb, requires the patient to have the benefit of an individualistic approach to the rehabilitation plan, that only a physiotherapist will be able to give him.

Physiotherapy could be called a health profession which deals with enhancing the quality of life by using clinical diagnosis and reasoning to deliver the apt treatment for an injury or condition. However, it would be wise to remember that the progress in the recovery would be possible only with the active involvement of the patient. If the patient has the will power and the determination to improve, the physiotherapist can work wonders to increase his independence, making him fit and free to actively function at home or at the workplace.

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The reason is simple. Ask yourself the following questions.

Do you worry too much? Do you lean into the computer, or hunch over your desk for long periods of time? Do you drive long distances? If your answer is yes, to any of them, it may mean that you are inviting pain in the neck.

Your neck has bones, joints, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. Its job is to hold your head up. Overuse or strain, or injury, to any of these parts of your neck can lead to neck pain.

More often than not, when we present ourselves at the clinic with neck pain, the diagnosis turns out to be cervical spondylosis.

Cervical spondylosis

Many of us know that the cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae, each one resting on the other to form the spinal column, which protects the spinal cord running through it. The vertebrae are separated from each other by cartilages called discs. Each disc has a central fluid part called the nucleus and an annular ring of cartilage around it called the annulus. The disc can change its shape depending on the stress applied on it and act like a shock absorber. The vertebrae and the discs are linked together by a series of joints held together by muscles and ligaments.

Spondylosis is a condition where there are degenerative changes in the inter-vertebral joints between the body of the vertebra and the disc. It occurs in persons above the age of 30. The degenerative changes that occur are due to aging, or continuous wear and tear. The annulus becomes coarse and the nucleus loses its fluid and becomes fibrous; the disc loses its height and the inter-vertebral space becomes narrow. The discs in your neck also can herniate. This means that the inner gelatinous material of a disc protrudes through its tough covering, irritating the nearby nerves. Other tissues and bony growths also can press on your nerves as they exit your spinal cord. This can cause pain.

Most patients suffering from neck pain have one of the following precipitating factors.

• Sleeping in awkward position
• Sitting for prolonged periods of time in front of the computer, or work-desk
• Pursuing hobbies such as knitting, or painting, which requires high levels of concentration and a bent position of the head
• Driving long distances without halts
• Talking on the phone with the instrument cradled between the shoulder and the head.

Once the factor, or factors, causing the neck pain is identified, treatment can be aimed to stop it so that it does not recur to the extent possible

Easing the pain

One simple solution is to take a break, in-between long sessions. Rest, anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy are helpful in relieving the pain. Physiotherapy modalities like short wave therapy, or interferential therapy and ultrasound, along with cold or heat, are useful in relieving pain.

Traction [the act of drawing, or pulling] has been found useful to relieve nerve root pressure. Some simple measures also help. Wearing the cervical collar is useful in acute cases. It is recommended by doctors to keep the neck in correct alignment. The collar provides passive support; the length of time it has to be worn, of course, depends on the severity of the problem.

Preventing neck pain

Most neck pains are associated with poor posture. So, postural education plays an important part in the prevention of recurrent neck pain.

The goal, of course, is to keep your head centered over your spine, so gravity works with your neck instead of against it.

Some simple changes in your daily routine may also help.

If one gets pain after sleep, then the best thing would be to check your mattress and pillow. Ideally, your pillow should support the natural curve of the neck so that the muscles are relaxed. Feather pillows are generally preferred to foam because they conform easily to the shape of the neck. Also, remember that pillows don’t last forever. After a year or two, feather pillows tend to “collapse” and may need to be replaced.

In addition, a bed that doesn’t offer enough back support can also be a source of neck discomfort. Avoid sleeping on your stomach because this position leads to stress on your neck. Even when lying on the side, you can choose to keep a pillow to support your top arm. While sitting, it is advisable to sit straight and keep a small cushion to support your lower back. Supporting your lower back and sitting will ensure that the cervical spine gets aligned.

If you work for long hours on the computer, adjust your desk, chair and computer so that the monitor is at eye level. Your knees should be slightly lower than the hips. Use your chair’s armrests. While driving long distances, take frequent breaks. Keep your head back, over your spine, to reduce neck strain. While driving the car, adjust the seat to bring you close enough to the pedals so that you don’t have to extend your neck forward.

Also, avoid tucking the phone between your ear and shoulder when you talk. If you use the phone a lot this way, get a headset.

Simple exercise

A small and simple exercise can ease your neck muscles when you are sitting at your desk.

• Shrug your shoulders up and down
• Pull your shoulder blades together and then relax
• Pull your shoulders down while leaning your head to each side to stretch your neck muscles.

Neck extension exercises, like looking up at the ceiling and then retracting the head, i.e., pulling the chin into the neck to form a double chin, can also help.

The post Blame it on posture appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.