Physical therapy is the application of various forms of physical energy (mechanical, light, thermal, electrical, sound, magnetic…) for the purpose of preventing, treating and functionally rehabilitating the sick and injured (medical rehabilitation). The name physical therapy comes from the Greek word „fysis”, which translates as „natural”, i.e. the application of natural factors for therapeutic purposes.
The Rehability clinic is equipped with the most complete and most modern medical equipment for physical therapy from renowned manufacturers. We will provide you with a level of service such as you can expect at every licensed medical centre in the European Union and the USA.
Laser
A fascinating discovery of the 20th century! Laser light is the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation from the spectrum of non-ionising radiation. It is a highly directed beam of coherent, monochromatic light. In physical medicine, low-power lasers are used, which achieve a biostimulative effect without a thermal effect and without morphological changes to the irradiated tissue. Probes with diodes from the invisible part of the spectrum (830 nm) are used which, with increased output power (above 150 mW), have a considerably greater depth of light penetration (up to 40–60 mm) and thereby make it possible to treat deeper parts of the body.
Therapeutic effects of the laser:
- strong analgesic (pain-relieving) effect
- strong anti-inflammatory and anti-oedema effect (against inflammation and swelling)
- pronounced biostimulative effect (regenerates and renews tissues)
- significant and rapid effect in reducing pain
- can be applied even in the acute phase, as it is an athermic procedure that does not heat the tissues
- positive influence on the regeneration of bone, peripheral nerves, muscle fibres and skin
The indications for the use of the laser are numerous:
- pain syndromes
- injuries of joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles
- bone fractures
- sports injuries
- cervical and lumbar syndrome
- inflammatory rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout…)
- degenerative rheumatic diseases of the spinal column (spondylosis) and of the peripheral joints (gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis, arthrosis of the small joints of the hand)
- extra-articular rheumatism (inflammation of the soft tissues around the joints)
- periarthritis of the shoulder (painful shoulder syndrome)
- peritrochanteritis (periarthritis of the hip)
- tendinitis, enthesopathies, bursitis
- fibromyalgia
- carpal and tarsal tunnel syndrome (compression neuropathies)
- radiculopathies
- neuralgias (trigeminal neuralgia, post-herpetic neuralgia)
- slow-healing wounds (varicose ulcers), burns
Magnetic therapy (EMF)
The application of a low-frequency electromagnetic field in treatment. The electromagnetic field acts at the level of the cell (on its physical properties and the chemical and biological processes within the cell), from which numerous therapeutic effects on the whole body arise.
Therapeutic effects:
- antiphlogistic (anti-inflammatory, against inflammation)
- analgesic (reduction of the sensation of pain)
- anti-oedema (reduction of swelling)
- improves tissue oxygenation: the oxygen content in the tissues increases by up to 200% relative to the initial values
- improves metabolism
- improves the flow of blood and lymph
- stimulates tissue regeneration
- stimulates osteogenesis (the renewal of bone tissue)
- reduces the tone of spastic muscles
- stimulates the immune system (strengthens the body’s defences)
Magnetic therapy is the treatment of choice for numerous painful conditions and pathologies: it accelerates the healing of bones after a fracture (stimulating the formation of callus), it can be applied even during plaster immobilisation, as well as when metal is present in the tissue, with a strong anti-oedema and analgesic effect.
Indications for the use of EMF:
- slow-healing bone fractures
- injuries of joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles
- algodystrophic syndrome (Sudeck’s disease)
- osteoporosis
- disorders of the peripheral circulation
- trophic lesions due to disorders of the arterial and venous circulation (varicose ulcers, ulcus cruris)
- inflammatory and degenerative rheumatological diseases, as well as extra-articular rheumatism
- radiculopathies
- neuritis and polyneuropathies
- chronic inflammations of the female reproductive organs
- psoriasis, eczema
- asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Sonotherapy (therapeutic ultrasound)
For therapeutic purposes, ultrasound with a frequency of 1 to 3 MHz is used. Through sonophoresis (the introduction of a medicine by means of ultrasound), the effect of the medicine and of the ultrasound itself are combined.
The most important therapeutic effects of ultrasound:
- analgesic effect (against pain)
- anti-inflammatory effect (against inflammation)
- reduces muscle spasm („cramp”)
- increases local circulation, reduces swelling and calcium deposits in the mucous bursae and other tissues
- has a reparative action (promotes the healing of tendons after injuries and sutures)
- improves the elasticity of scar tissue, as it has a deeper thermal effect on the joint capsules, ligaments and tendons (which is why it is used for joint contractures, as an introduction to stretching exercises and for scars)
Electrotherapy
The application of electrical energy for the purpose of treatment.
TENS
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is one of the most effective methods in the fight against pain of various origins. It enables the patient to control acute or chronic pain and reduce the use of analgesics without any side effects. It is applied for migraines, headaches, sprains and contusions, back pain, neuralgias and pain of rheumatic origin.
Interferential (Nemec) currents
They took their name from the interference effect that arises in the tissue when two independent electrical circuits cross. The advantage of these currents is that they achieve their therapeutic effect in the depth of the tissue. In combination with vacuum massage, stronger and better stimulation of the bloodstream is achieved, which reduces pain arising as a consequence of an insufficient supply of oxygen. They are used for all degenerative rheumatic diseases of the large joints (hip, knee, shoulder) and for cervical and lumbar syndromes. A particular advantage is their use in conditions following a fracture in patients who have had metal implanted, since, due to the presence of the metal, they cannot receive any other type of current.
Electrostimulation
Stimulation with a current of a specific intensity, frequency and duration for the purpose of inducing muscle contraction in paretic (paralysed) muscles which, for particular reasons, are not able to function in a normal manner.
Galvanic current
The application of a direct current of constant voltage for the purpose of treatment.
Electrophoresis of medicines
The introduction of medicines into the body by means of galvanic current, which makes it possible for the medicine to reach the site of the injury or inflammation in the shortest possible time. In this way, a high concentration of the medicine, a prolonged effect and the formation of a depot are achieved.
Diadynamic currents
Direct low-frequency pulsed currents of a half-sinusoidal shape which rapidly achieve a strong analgesic effect lasting several hours; by stimulating the circulation, they act to reduce oedema and haematoma.
Russian („Kots”) currents
Interrupted alternating sinusoidal currents used to stimulate healthy muscles, for their strengthening and hypertrophy. In 1977, the Russian doctor Yakov Kots reported that, through additional training with these currents, a significant increase in muscle strength of 30 to 40% was achieved in Russian athletes who had good results at the Olympics.
Phototherapy
IR lamp
The infrared lamp emits infrared radiation which penetrates deep beneath the surface of the skin and effectively warms the subcutaneous tissues, improving cellular metabolism. The thermal effect acts beneficially and soothingly on the nerves. It is recommended for muscle tension, inflammatory processes, arthritis, sinusitis, tennis elbow, sprains, neuralgias, muscle and back pain and other musculoskeletal problems.
Bioptron lamp
It produces polarised light with a wavelength of 400 to 2000 nm. The energy of Bioptron light is constant and amounts to 2.4 joules, and it penetrates the tissue to a depth of 2 cm, depending on the duration of exposure. Because of its very positive effect on health, polarised light is used in medicine as a complement to other methods of treatment (surgical and conservative treatment). It accelerates the proper healing of all kinds of wounds, reduces the risk of infections and the formation of scars, and accelerates the process of tissue regeneration after burns.
Thermotherapy
The application of heat (and cold) in treatment.
Paraffin therapy
A simple method by which good results are achieved in therapy. It is used in a liquid state with a melting point of around 50 °C. After the paraffin is removed, the skin is red, moist, warm and elastic.
Cryotherapy
The application of cold (ice) in physical therapy; like heat, it has similar effects, but they last much longer. Cold at first acts on the blood vessels by narrowing them, and after some time they suddenly dilate with a strong rush of blood. It is most commonly applied for swelling.
Hydrotherapy
The use of water for the purpose of the patient’s rehabilitation. Under the influence of warm water (underwater massage) or air bubbles (pearl bath), the blood vessels dilate, the bloodstream accelerates, muscle spasm is reduced, the muscles relax and the sensation of pain and tension is reduced.
Contraindications
Every modality of physical therapy has its own limitations, so the therapy is always adapted to the patient’s state of health. The most important contraindications by modality are:
- Laser: pregnancy, growth zones in children, malignancies
- Ultrasound: malignant tumours, acute infections, pregnancy (the lower back and abdomen)
- Electrotherapy and galvanic current: pacemaker, skin defects, eczema, dermatitis, metal implants (except interferential currents)
- Magnetic therapy: pregnancy, pacemaker, bleeding