Rehabilitation

“Following my physiotherapy rehabilitation, I am again able to play with my grandchildren” -seventy year old grandmother who fractured her hip after fall.

 

Rehabilitation is the process of taking a person who has been injured or suffered an illness and bringing them back to full function, both mentally and physically. At times full function is not possible, but through rehabilitation a patient may return to a new peace or understanding, to live within their physical limitations. Even at this stage, new goals can be encouraged to achieve further improvements.

 

Initially an assessment is performed in order to arrive at a diagnosis and a plan of treatment and management. This may also involve a number of different rehabilitation professionals working cooperatively with the patient. It may also include the involvement of family, friends or even work colleagues. The achievement of patient goals can only be achieved through a team effort.

 

Physiotherapy management commonly includes prescription and supervision of specific exercises, manual therapy, education, manipulation and other interventions to restore function. In addition, physiotherapists work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness and wellness programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.

 

Physiotherapists also provide treatments where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors. Functional movement and performing daily activities are central to what it means to be healthy. It is also very important for maintaining a feeling of independence and worth for an individual.

 

Encouragement and support is vital in rehabilitation and participating in rehabilitation in turn enhances the feeling of wellbeing.