Physical Therapy: What do you really need to know?

What is physical therapy?

Physical Therapy or Physiotherapy is a process of addressing, treating, and preventing physical injuries, disabilities, and pain using exercise, massages, guided movements, and muscle stimulation aid or physical stimuli. Physical therapy also includes the process of education and advice to help patients maintain their physical conditions on their own.

Hippocrates, the father of medicine, has been advocating massage, muscular manipulation techniques and hydrotherapy to treat patients since 460 BC. The progress of the development of physical therapy is following the development of Orthopedics, which itself is the medicine in musculoskeletal, mostly depends on exercise, massage, and traction. Manipulative procedures were developed in the 1950s and later techniques using stimuli such as cold and heat are also being used by many physical therapists.

The goal of physical therapy is to relieve pain, help regain the independence of movement, compensate for physical disabilities, improve coordination and strength of the muscle, Improve metabolism and blood circulation, prevent chronic conditions, and improve their overall quality of life. 

What is included in physical therapy?

Exercise, including stretching, strengthening and cardiovascular exercise, is taken up the most part of physical therapy, as it directly helps improve mobility, coordination and muscle strength. The exercise can be done for a whole body or specific parts of the body and can be done using some aids such as mobility aids, or aquatic therapy. Physical therapists will demonstrate how to do the exercise, help you learn the process, and plan the exercise routine to ensure that patients would regularly exercise in the right way. 

Another form of the technique being used for physical therapy is manual therapy, using hands in manipulations, mobilization, and massaging of body tissues. Manual therapy is being done to relieve pain and stiffness, help improve blood circulation and help drain the lymphatic fluid that accumulates in muscles or joints, and help relax patients. Manual therapy can also be used in combination with heat (from warm baths or hot packs) or cold (using ice or cryogenic equipment) treatment to reduce pain and inflammation, increase blood flow, and improve muscle function.

Other techniques being used in physical therapy include the use of ultrasound – high-frequency sound waves applied directly to tissues for stimulating blood circulations, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – a use of ‘low-voltage electric currents directly to muscle tissues for relieving pain, and acupuncture into specific points of the body to reducing pains and enhancing recovery.

What can be treated with physical therapy?

Physical Therapy can be used for treatments of various physical conditions for people of all ages, which most common treatment includes the treatment for 

• Problems of bones, joints and soft tissue such as back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, wear-and-tear of muscle and tendons, and degeneration of joints
• Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis
• Pelvic Floor Problems, including urine leakage caused by pelvic muscles
• Movement problems resulting from a stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson’s disease
• Developmental problems in children, affecting their muscles or bones
• Treatment and Rehabilitation from Sports Injury
• Rehabilitation after physical injuries to bones and muscles
• Rehabilitation for Cardiovascular or Respiratory Diseases
• Practicing of certain movement for strengthening muscles

What needs to be considered when seeking physical therapy?

Physical therapy is carried out by specially trained physiotherapists or PTs, which are also under the governing board’s control. As a result, your physiotherapists would be at least fully qualified with a degree and accredited by the board. Also, Physical therapy spans a wide area of expertise, and selecting physiotherapists who have expertise with your sort of problems would greatly provide accurate and effective treatment. Other factors determined is including options on the method of treatment, the reputation of the physiotherapist, and the location of the facilities. 

Physical Therapy at Phyathai 1 International

Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center of Phyathai 1 International provides you with physical therapy and rehabilitation medicine from our experienced team of physicians, physiotherapists, and specialists in rehabilitation medicine, with a vast technique of treatment available for restoration and improvements for people with injuries to the muscles, bones, tissues, and rehabilitation for people with impairment and disabilities.

If you consider receiving physical therapy or rehabilitation, we recommend consulting with our specialist at the Physical Therapy  & Rehabilitation Center of Phyathai 1 International, both open daily from 8 am to 8 pm. To ensure the fastest procedure time, We recommend taking a reservation by phone at number (+66)2-201-4600 ext.2609-2611 or by E-mail at [email protected].