Physiotherapy

Electrotherapy is the application of currents for therapeutic purposes. We use different types of currents, and the choice depends on their action and the effect we want to achieve. This type of therapy reduces pain, removes swelling and calms inflammatory processes. It is usually used for sports injuries, ligament injuries, sprains, arthritis and arthrosis, pain in the neck, lumbar spine, muscle, circulation and nerve problems.

This therapy affects: 

• acceleration of blood and lymph circulation
• reduction of swelling and water retention in the body, 
• reduces inflammation and inflammatory processes in the body
• speeds up the wound healing process 

The name comes from the Greek word kinesis what movement means. Therefore, kinesiotherapy represents treatment through movement and requires the active participation of the patient in the treatment process, with the help of a therapist.
Through precisely designed, systematised and targeted movements, rehabilitation and recovery of the patient following various injuries and illnesses are enabled. The therapy develops muscles and gives strength to the entire human locomotor system. Nowadays, injury treatment in rehabilitation is unimaginable without kinesiotherapy.

Kinesiotherapy is applied:

• As part of the rehabilitation and treatment of orthopaedic conditions (dislocations, sprains, fractures, injuries)
• In rheumatological and neurological conditions 
• In the treatment of scoliosis, kyphosis, flat feet 
• For sports injuries (athlete rehabilitation)
• Prevention of osteoporosis, chronic pain in the cervical and lumbar regions due to poor posture

Successful performance of various exercises requires the supervision and expert assistance of a physiotherapist. Exercises can be with resistance, assisted or unassisted. Kinesiotherapy can be combined with other physical therapy methods aiming at faster and more successful rehabilitation (where possible). It also includes breathing and relaxation exercises, which likewise contribute to better heart and blood vessel function, accelerated lung activity, and increased respiratory volume and gas exchange.

Effects of kinesiotherapy:

• Improving range of motion and joint function
• Increase in muscle strength and endurance
• Maintaining correct body posture
• Stretching shortened muscles
• Increasing the elasticity of muscles, joints and ligaments
• Better coordination, range and speed of movement

Magnetotherapy is a treatment using a low-frequency magnetic field (from 1 to 100 Hz). This is a safe, non-invasive method that can be used as a standalone treatment or combined with other types of physical therapy. It has an analgesic, anti-oedematous and anti-inflammatory effect and accelerates the revitalisation of damaged tissues.
Used in the treatment of:

• arthritis, degenerative disorders
• bone fracture 
• muscle damage
• chronic pain
• slow-healing wounds and ulcers
• sports injuries

Magnetic therapy can be applied locally, thereby avoiding side effects on other systems in the body. It functions by centring a magnetic field on the affected area, which has a beneficial effect on pain. The advantage is that it can also be performed on patients who have metal in their body, which typically occurs after hip or knee surgery. For each patient, the duration of the treatment and the strength of the magnet are determined individually (in relation to their state of health).

Laser therapy stimulates collagen synthesis, thus accelerating the wound healing process. It is most commonly used for soft tissue injuries such as sprains and injuries to tendons, muscles and ligaments.

The indications are:

• injuries to joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles
• cervical and lumbar syndrome
• bone fractures, sports injuries
• degenerative rheumatic diseases of the spinal column (spondylosis), inflammatory rheumatism (rheumatoid arthritis, gout) 
• painful shoulder syndrome, tendinitis, bursitis
• fibromyalgia, neuralgias

Mechanism and benefits:

• biostimulative effect (promotes tissue regeneration: connective, bone and tendon)
• it helps with injuries to joints, ligaments and muscles
• aids wound healing (burns, pressure ulcers, shingles, cold sores)
• relieves pain especially in neuralgia
• helps with cervical and lumbar syndrome
• strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect (against inflammation and pain)
• significantly shortens treatment time and it does not heat the tissues

To enhance the effects, laser therapy is frequently combined with other types of physiotherapy such as hydrotherapy, electrotherapy and magnetotherapy.

Ultrasound has mechanical and thermal effects. As a therapy, it is applied in various pathologies of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. When applied to soft tissues and joints, the sound waves function as a micro-massage, thereby improving microcirculation, tissue relaxation, and accelerating metabolism.
Ultrasound therapy achieves its greatest success in injuries to muscle tendons and ligaments, the treatment of keloids and scars, as well as in joint pain and injuries, neuralgia, pain in the lumbar and cervical spine, and following post-traumatic conditions.

Therapeutic effect of ultrasound:

• it has an analgesic effect (reduces pain)
• accelerates tissue regeneration and reduces muscle spasm
• improves local blood circulation and reduces swelling
• accelerates the recovery of tendons and muscles after injuries
• stimulates bone recovery following a fracture

Ultrasound therapy has its best effect when combined with other physical procedures (magnetotherapy, electrotherapy, etc.). The patient feels significant improvement and relief of symptoms after just a few treatments.