Treatments

Physiotherapy looks at the body´s function and movement and aims at maximising physical potential and reducing pain. Hereby, it takes all variations of health status into account and can be used in prevention to promote a healthy and active lifestyle, in rehabilitation after injuries and sickness which led to pain or restricted movement, as well as in treatment of physical ailments due to chronic or acute conditions. Physiotherapists use active and passive physical approaches such as exercises, mobilisation and stretching, to mention only a few.

I have received my certificate in Physiotherapy in 1999 in Germany and have since then been working as a physiotherapist in various clinical settings in my home country. My broad experience in this field has become a natural part of the therapies that I provide, be it through the detailed understanding of anatomic and neurological structures of our bodies, or through the implementation of physical therapeutic techniques when needed.

The Bobath Concept (named after Berta and Karl Bobath, who developed the Concept) is a therapeutic approach for people of all ages, from newborn until elderly, with any sort of lesion of their Central Nervous System. It is based around the brain’s ability to adapt to change and to reorganise and recover after neurological damage. With the underlying concepts of neuroscience and movement analysis, the Bobath Concept is developing further with ongoing research and scientific insights. Based on the understanding that neurological pathology affects the person as a whole, the intervention focuses on the recovery of physiological movement, whilst it takes individual experience and needs into account and aims at the person’s ability to (re-)gain most functional skills in their daily life.

Within the Bobath concept, functional movement analysis considers the influence of sensory information on the relative interaction of postural control, selective movement and cognitive/perceptual processes. Hence, the quality of movement performance is considered with respect to all of those aspects.

The Bobath Concept is effective in the rehabilitation of all kinds of lesion in the Central Nervous System, such as

- Developmental delay

- cerebral palsy

- Injuries of the spinal cord

- Traumatic brain injury

- Hemiplegia

- Ataxia

- Parkinson's disease

Manual Therapy according to Kaltenborn is a specific area of Physiotherapy that focuses on the restoration of functional disorders on the musculoskeletal system. The body as a whole is seen in its functional unity of all the structures working together. The focus is on locating any disturbance in a joint or another body structure, examine them in specific ways and using manual techniques to alleviate them. Some of the main techniques are transverse massage, functional massage, post-isometric relaxation, joint manipulation and neuromobilisation, with the approach to settle the reversible functional disorders that are present in the musculoskeletal system.

Manual Therapy influences the central nervous control of the body structures and their functional interaction. In summary, it shows the following effects on the body:

• a restoration of restricted joint mobility

• the removal of local, segmental irritations of the back muscles as well as the connective tissue and the skin

• the removal of irritation of the peripheral muscles or the assigned skin zones

• decreasing of existing malfunctions of the musculoskeletal system.

MLD may be useful in rehabilitation of conditions such as post-traumatic and post-surgical oedema and in palliative care and it is also effective as a preventative treatment. The intention behind MLD is to augment the rhythmic contractions of the lymph vessels and to stimulate the lymph nodes to improve their activity in order to reroute stagnant lymphatic fluid. The movement of lymphatic fluid out of a swollen limb is promoted through a light and skin-stretching massage.

MLD is one of the four key components of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), which are MLD, compression bandaging, exercise, and skin care. MLD shows optimal results when it is combined with those other CDT elements, and in best case also with additional support through psychological counselling, nutritional advice and self-care.

MLD can effectively reduce the volume of lymphedema, improve mobility and range of movement and hence increase the client’s quality of life.

Medical Rehabilitation Training is a targeted physical training under physiotherapeutic supervision for the treatment after injuries, operations or physical complaints. The rehabilitation elements consist of strength and endurance training as well as stretching techniques, which are adapted exactly to the needs of the client.

The focus here is on health, rather than on the maximum performance of the musculoskeletal system. Medical Rehabilitation Training is divided into phases, for example an acute phase, then a phase of muscle building, and so on, in order to strengthen the musculoskeletal system in the long term.

APM according to Penzel is a therapy on the meridians, which are structural pathways for the energy to flow through our body system. It is based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, but uses a specific metal pen instead of needles like in the Traditional Acupuncture. In the first step, the therapist undertakes a diagnosis of the energy flow in the meridians and meridional groups to clarify which areas show either a lack or an overfill with energy. This will in the second step be balanced through massage-like movements and light pressure with the pen. APM is a regulative therapy on the body system, that can be used solely or in addition to other techniques, specifically effective in the treatment of scars, pain syndromes, dysfunction of the vegetative system, to name a few.

The rehabilitation process for an amputee is a very complex and individual journey. For users of upper limb prosthesis, the training can range from use of basic grasp function up to high tech solutions that imitate function of a physiologic hand and arm. For users of lower limb prosthesis, the focus mainly lies on detailed gait analysis and training of regaining gait function and quality of movement as well as on participation in all sorts of daily life as close as possible to their previous occupations and interests.

With both types, early fitting of the prosthesis is crucial to encourage successful functional outcomes for the client. The therapy aims at an independent life-style and the re-establishment of the client’s social and occupational participation.

To reach the client’s full potential, it is not only important to consider the quality of the prosthesis, but also of the therapy and medical care. All of those components need to work in close harmony with one another and ideally encourage and enhance the client’s motivation and desire to gain back independence.

The Kinesio Taping Method is a therapeutic tool used in pain management, soft tissue injury, tissues and joints malalignment, oedema and more. The tapes work to dynamically assist the muscle function, whilst action of specific muscle groups can either be facilitated or inhibited.

Kinesio Tape is effective for stabilising a joint after an injury, prevent injury for example in sport, to relieve pain by supporting vulnerable body structures, provide soft tissue compression to reduce swelling, stimulate blood circulation and to facilitate normal movement, muscle action or postural patterns. This technique is a means of rehabilitation or prophylaxis to support body function while healing is taking place.

The Swedish massage is a classic western body massage, which can be used both for a therapeutic approach as well as for wellness. The Swedish massage technique involves using long strokes, kneading, gliding, tapping and vibration with light to firm pressure to ensure total body relaxation. It is designed to improve blood circulation, soothe the muscles and make the body feel more relaxed, which has a stress-releasing effect both physically and emotionally. Generally, the approach of the classic Swedish Massage is to reduce tension of muscles and soft tissue, to stimulate the immune system and to relax your body and mind.

The massage can be applied on the whole body or only parts of the body such as the back or neck and shoulders, depending on the client’s needs and preference.

The Deep Tissue Massage uses more pressure than a classic Swedish Massage and specific techniques that aim at relieving chronic pain. The massage usually starts with lighter pressure to warm up your muscles and then works into the second phase of deeper pressure.