Physical therapy

Physiotherapy (Greek φύσις, physis "nature" and θεραπεία, therapeia " serving, service, the service, the care of the sick " ), in Germany until 1994, physiotherapy, is a form of external application of remedies, with the v. a should be. 's motion and function of the human body restored, improved, or maintained.

The treatments are carried out by physiotherapists. Physical therapist is not an independent health care profession, but one of the health care professions (formerly allied health professions). The medical necessity is determined exclusively by doctors and prescribed by prescription, except for preventive measures. Sports therapists, scientists and teachers do not meet the admission requirements as a physical therapist and may the cure physiotherapy neither provide nor settle.

Target

Physiotherapy is based in the treatment of the symptoms and the functional, movement or activity limitations of patients who are found in the physiotherapy examination. She uses both diagnostic and based on clinical reasoning, as well as educational and manual skills of the therapist. If necessary, it is complemented by natural physical stimuli ( eg, heat, cold, pressure, radiation, electricity) and promotes the self-activity ( coordinated muscle activity as well as the conscious perception ) of the patients. Treatment is adapted to the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the patient's cognitive and motivational. The treatment aims on the one hand in a natural, physiological reactions of the organism (eg, motor learning, toning and stimulation of the metabolism ), on the other hand to an improved understanding of the functioning of the organism ( dysfunction / resources) and on autonomous dealing with their own bodies from. The goal is to restore, maintain or promote health and also very often the absence of pain or reduction.

Research

In the English -speaking world the Pathokinesiologie is viewed as a basic science, which plays a central role for the professional identity of physiotherapy or your separation from other professions. Publications of research-based physical therapists are now published for decades in international medical and scientific journals that meet the requirements of peer review.

Specific application can find the work, eg a U.S. research group in the establishment of specific diagnoses for the cause-related and targeted therapy of painful movement system syndromes.

Synonyms and related areas

The English term "physical therapy" is not to be confused with the term " physical therapy " in German. Physiotherapy and physical therapy are sometimes regarded as synonyms or common areas of expertise; correctly the physical therapy but it is considered as a sub- field of physiotherapy. With regard to financial accounting procedures are " intervened with different groups of (...) the areas ( be ) physical therapy and physical therapy in the next draft ( Diagnosis Related Groups) again separated, so that, for example, physiotherapy treatment and a heat application are counted separately can. "

History

Antiquity to modern times

Many methods of physiotherapy have their origin far back. Archaeological findings show that thermal and mineral springs have been used in early times. Various forms of massage and medical baths were known already about 4000 years ago in China.

From ancient times targeted gymnastic and dietary education ideals are handed down to us. The athletes of the ancient Olympic Games were specially trained coaches that their protégés monitored via the so -called " personal hygiene ". This they did for the health and vitality of young people more often than any doctor.

The Greek physician Hippocrates advocated various medical opinions, which are reflected today in physiotherapy. He understood the living body as an organism health as balance and disease as disturbed physical and mental overall health. His conviction was that nature has a healing power. Hippocrates and his later Roman counterpart Galen emphasized the health benefits of all " physical exercises" out.

The ancient yoga can also be classified here, with his precise asanas as a passive massage. In China, there is the Qigong as Übemethode for self-regulation and Tuina therapy Anmo than manual treatment method.

Early on we took advantage of the positive observations on the health advice of the population. They recommended regular exercise in the form of walks, swimming, skiing, horseback riding, playing and dancing. The relaxing and healing effects of massages and spas has been known since ancient times. The dietetics referred not only to a healthy diet. Likewise, care was taken to maintain a balance of waking and sleeping.

Until the late Middle Ages changed it a little, the "recipes" remained the same. Rather, it was so, that fell by the ecclesiastical influence of the body into oblivion; inter alia, would have to look at life and suffering as fatefully godly creatures. This changed only with the Renaissance, in which the ancient ideals awoke.

Humanism and Enlightenment

Influenced by humanism now engaged women, children and disabled people with their specific needs and conditions in the center of medical observation. In the 18th century French physician Nicolas Andry founded orthopedics ( free: "Education for upright posture "). He observed systematically the frequent poor posture and deformities in children. He devoted special gymnastic exercises for the therapy and prophylaxis. The Swiss doctor Jean -André Venel (1740-1791) opened in 1780, the first orthopedic clinic in the world in Orbe / Canton of Vaud.

Johann Christoph Friedrich Guts Muth founded the educational gymnastics in Germany and Franz Nachtegall (1777-1847) in 1798 in Copenhagen, the " Gymnastic Society". From their physical exercises the Swede Pehr Henrik Ling developed a targeted therapeutic gymnastics, as now leaning more to the " use movements of everyday life". He combined his treatments with massages for specific muscle groups.

In the 18th century the first drugs found true appeal, however, also brought dangers. Many a doctor advocated the use of mineral waters, spas and hydrotherapy. This continued in the 19th century continued, the popularity of hydrotherapy increased.

Especially in Germany experienced the hydrotherapy a boom: the father of hydrotherapy, Sebastian Kneipp developed a simple life settlement, they combined with the use of herbal medicines and health education.

Industrialization and modernity

The Berlin physician Albert C. Neumann brought the "Swedish medical gymnastics " to Germany. He defined the first the profession of " gymnasts " and advocated for the professional emancipation of women. In 1853 he opened the first Gymnastenschule for women. The Swede Gustav Zander developed from 1865 a system of gymnastics and massage apparatus, the medico - mechanical treatment. In Germany, the devices were, inter alia, used in " Zander Institutes " as training equipment in prevention and therapy, and later included advancements, plagiarism and easier movement devices.

In addition, the demand grew for treatment by the wars (1870 /71 and 1914-18 1939-45 ) and as a result of rising labor and traffic accidents. Johann Hermann Lubinus founded the prestigious by many specialists " Lubinus Schools." Now the physiotherapy first drew reinforced with patients from the surgery and neurology acquaintance ( polio took a high degree of worldwide). For the treatment of heart and lung diseases as well as in rheumatology a return to healing baths and Kneipp teaching took place. In 1941, Wolfgang Kohlrausch was appointed the first professor of physical therapy at the National Socialist Reich University of Strasbourg.

After the currency reform of 1948 it came to healthcare austerity measures that led to a significant job cuts. Only with the establishment of regional associations, the profession was able to establish and expand better. Contracts with health insurance companies and to standardize training made ​​physiotherapy facilities profitable again. In the 1950s, the CVC was formed ( Central Association of Physiotherapists ) until today the greatest of all German forces. Through his work succeeded in 1959 a federal statutory definition of " Physiotherapists " to other medical ancillary professions.

In the wake of reunification and the need to match international parlance it arrived here in 1994 an amendment to the law profession (see MPhG ). From now on, the physiotherapists ' physiotherapist ' hot, as it was already common in the GDR.

Theory in Germany

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the German physiotherapy has mainly endeavored to establish itself in the healthcare and anchoring. It has therefore developed along the medicine and thus defines the medical model of thinking. Fundamental to the medical model was the concept of "normality ", which should restore the therapy at that time. Deviations were considered abnormal. Each disease had therefore a detectable release ( for example, a seed ). The medicine is not treated accordingly the individual but the disease and tried to eliminate them.

Only since the mid -1990s, gradually takes a paradigm shift. The disease is no longer primarily seen as a dysfunction that is to be repaired, but a holistic approach is paramount.

The theories of physical therapy are based primarily on motion philosophical foundations (eg motor training, sensorimotor activation, awareness training, posture training ) but also physical principles (eg, thermal, hydro, balneotherapy).

The physiotherapy are offered a variety of techniques available. Here are some examples:

PNF ( proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation ), manual therapy ( Manipulative techniques for joint mobilization ), soft tissue techniques ( medical massage, Bindegewebstechniken, osteopathic techniques for Faszienmobilisation ) Sensorimotor activation ( semota, Cognitive training by Perfetti ), physiotherapy (passive, assistive, active or resistive techniques )

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