Physiotherapy belongs to a branch of medicine that studies the influence of natural and artificial elements on the human body, to combat various diseases, during recovery and rehabilitation after injuries and operations (for example, in sanatoriums).

The benefits of using physiotherapy methods:

• The use of medications is not required or a minimum amount is needed.
• Low risk of side effects.
• It stimulates the regenerative capabilities of the body, increase local and general immunity, improve blood circulation and lymph drainage.

Physiotherapy is used at various stages of the disease, it can be either the only treatment method, or act as a separate element of a comprehensive therapy plan. In physiotherapy, natural as well as artificial methods are used. The first include the following types:

• Climatotherapy (climate change to a more favorable option for a certain state of the body).
• Treatment with water (lotions, compresses, contrast shower).
• Treatment with mineral water - balneotherapy.
• Heat treatment.
• Mud therapy.

Physio-therapeutic procedures that use artificial methods to influence the human body include the following types:

• Medicinal electrophoresis.
• Galvanization.
• UHF therapy.
• Diadynamic therapy.
• EHF therapy.
• Franklinization.
• Magnetotherapy.
• Laser therapy.
• Medicinal phonophoresis and more.

Next, let’s analyze the most standard physiotherapy procedures.

Inductothermy

In this procedure a high frequency magnetic field is converted into heat, which has the following effects:

• Strengthens local blood circulation, thereby stimulating the regenerative capabilities of the body, improves local immunity.
• Anti-inflammatory action.
• Reduces muscle spasms, if any.
• Reduces the excitability of nerve structures, due to which an analgesic and slight sedative effect is manifested.

These physiotherapy procedures are effective for:

• Otorhinolaryngological pathologies.
• Subacute and chronic diseases.
• Problems with the spine, joints.
• Damage to the nervous system.

UHF therapy

With this apparatus procedure, a physiotherapist, using an ultra-high frequency electromagnetic field, renders a therapeutic effect on a certain part of the patient’s body. The energy transferred to the cells and tissues of the body is absorbed and converted into heat. Moreover, most of the heat is generated precisely in tissues that poorly conduct electric current (bones, nerves).

The main effects of this physiotherapy:

• Improvement of lymph and blood circulation.
• Acceleration of regenerative processes.
• Reducing edema.
• Reduction of muscle tissue spasms.
• Improving the conduction of nerve impulses.
• A little pain relief.
• Lowering blood pressure, slowing heart rate.

Similar treatment can be prescribed for such pathologies:

• Neuritis and other pathologies of the peripheral nervous system.
• Inflammation of the gallbladder and diseases of other internal organs.
• Pathologies of ENT organs.
• Problems with the musculoskeletal system.

Magnetotherapy

This type of therapy is based on a low frequency alternating magnetic field. Magnetotherapy has the following properties:

• Local anesthetic.
• Regenerating.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Decongestant.
• Regulating the activity of the autonomic nervous system.

In general, magnetotherapy has a general strengthening effect, has a positive effect on mood, and normalizes sleep.

Magnetotherapy is not recommended in case of:

• Pregnancy.
• Systemic blood pathologies, blood clotting disorders.
• Foreign bodies with metal parts in the body, such as a pacemaker.
• Infectious diseases in the acute phase.
• Severe somatic pathologies.

Ultrasound therapy

Ultrasound waves perform a kind of tissue massage. In addition, they cause an intensification of metabolic and recovery processes. The analgesic and antispasmodic effects of this method of physiotherapy are also pronounced.

The procedures of this particular physiotherapeutic type are actively prescribed for diseases of the digestive system, ENT diseases, as well as articular pathologies.

Laser therapy

This is one of the newer methods of physiotherapy. The light from the emitter is able to penetrate into the tissues of the body quite deeply and activate metabolic and restorative processes on its way.

When intravenous, a special emitter guide is inserted directly into the vein and acts directly on the blood, stimulating hematopoiesis, raising the immune system.

Drug electrophoresis

This type of physiotherapy combines the action of electric current and drugs. At the same time, the effect of drugs increases, since these enter the body in an active, ionic form. At the same time, the likelihood and intensity of undesirable effects is reduced.

Electrophoresis with drugs has the following effects:

• Anti-inflammatory.
• Regenerating.
• Local anesthetic.
• Improvement of blood and lymph outflow.
• Influence regulating the autonomic nervous system.

Electro-stimulation

Pulse electric currents have a therapeutic effect on nerve endings and muscles in their various pathologies.

Electrical stimulation:

• Improves the muscle’s ability to contract.
• Improves the nutrition of muscle tissue and nerve endings.
• Provides a flow of nerve impulses that accelerate the regeneration processes, promote the restoration of movements, prevent the development of atrophy and contractures.

This method of physiotherapy is recommended for:

• Nerve and muscle pathologies.
• Paresis and paralysis of the muscles (flaccid or spastic, after injuries or strokes).
• Muscular atrophy (eg, after fractures, immobilization).
• Decreased tone of internal organs (intestines, bladder).
• To prevent complications in bedridden patients, as well as to prevent postoperative phlebothrombosis.

This procedure is not recommended in case of :

• Urine, cholelithiasis.
• Active inflammation.
• Spastic conditions of the muscles.
• Increased excitability of muscles (for example, facial muscles).

Shockwave therapy

The microcavitation effect provides the main therapeutic effect of this type of physiotherapy. The effect occurs when sound waves pass through layers of tissue with different densities (for example, through muscles, ligaments, bone tissue).

Due to the above effect, the following occurs:

• Reduced calcium deposits.
• Softening scar tissue after injury.
• Stimulation of regeneration processes.
• Stimulates the growth of blood vessels, revascularization.
• Reducing pain sensitivity.

This method of physiotherapy is recommended for:

• Calcifying processes in the tendons.
• Knee injury.
• Pathology of the hip joints.
• Tendinitis, bursitis, other pathologies in the places of attachment of muscles and ligaments to bone structures.
• Sprains and muscle tears.
• Arthrosis, especially after trauma.

UHT is avoided in oncology, acute infectious pathologies, pregnancy, impaired blood coagulation, use of anticoagulants and an implanted pacemaker.

The course of treatment usually consists of 5-10 sessions, each lasting about a quarter of an hour. If necessary, the full course can be repeated after a while.

Massotherapy

Massage itself plays a healing role and can also enhance the effects of medication. It is used at all stages of treatment: both at the beginning and in the process, and during rehabilitation.

Therapeutic massage is often prescribed by doctors for:

• Pain and discomfort in the back, head, overexertion and pain in the neck.
• Spine problems.
• Stretching of muscles, tendons.
• Recovery from bruises, fractures and other injuries.
• During the recovery period after various types of injuries: with joint stiffness, muscle atrophy, scar tissue adhesions.
• Arthritis outside of active inflammation.
• Diseases of internal organs: respiratory, digestive and other systems.

In addition to therapeutic massage, there is also general classical massage, which is health-improving and disease preventative.

This method of physiotherapy is recommended for:

• Chronic stress, mental disorders, overwork.
• Muscle spasms.
• Poor general health, decreased tone, loss of strength.
• Sleep disorders.

Thus, there are a great variety of physiotherapy methods and, with the development of science, this list will only grow.