Physiotherapy

Why Go to Our Physiotherapists?

Physiotherapy is an integral part of the complex treatment of the spine requiring the conjoint efforts of the doctor and the physiotherapist working as a team towards the rapid recovery and rehabilitation of their patients.

The Physiotherapy Department, with over ten years' experience in spine care, provides specialized individual and group physiotherapy sessions to our in- and outpatients as part of their conservative and perioperative spine treatments and other musculoskeletal problems, (e.g., hip and knee joints).

Ten physiotherapists and two therapeutic masseurs work diligently in providing the high level of care (English, German and Spanish is also spoken) to restore the spine's functional capacity, increase the range of movement as much as possible given the new capabilities, and reestablish the strength and endurance of the stabilizing musculature.

We have developed a special training program that, if followed regularly as taught, will result in such improvement as to enable the patients to perform symptom free their daily activities (i.e., work, sports, leisure activities) in the long term.

Some of our physiotherapists are trained and offer private lessons in such fitness and sports training programs as Pilates, Nordic Walking, etc. that could preclude overstraining the spine and joints.

The physiotherapy treatments are begun only following condition evaluation on the basis of which a diagnosis is reached and a treatment plan is set up.

Physiotherapy Methods used by our Physiotherapists

• The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy

• Active stabilization (restore functional capacity of stabilizing muscles, develop active corset muscles)

• Manual therapy methods:
  mobilization of peripheral nerves
  orthopedic manual therapy
  The Barvicsenko method of manual therapy

• PNF technique (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation)

• Intimate exercises (strengthening of pelvic muscles for women only)

• Kinesio taping (special bandaging technique using special tape developed for this purpose only)

• Functional kinetics (evaluating the functional capacity of the spine with a measuring device)

• The Schroth method (physiotherapy for scoliosis)

• Training with FitBall and Thera Band

• Autogenic training (relaxation methods with movement therapy, stress management, relaxing techniques, not only in cases of chronic back pain)

• Pregnancy exercises (not only for spine patients)

• Ergonomics, spine school (life style consultation for not straining the spine)

Supplemental Physiotherapeutic Treatment Methods

• Electrotherapy (selective electrical stimulation, ultrasound, interference, Tens)

• Therapeutic massage
  Segment massage
  Connective tissue massage
  Swedish massage
  Reflexology

Physiotherapy includes the following

• Treatments involving surgery (spine, joint prostheses, corrective surgery):
  Preparing the patient for surgery
  Rehabilitation following surgery

• The spine requires special care and attention following even a successful surgery since the structural changes brought about cause greater loading on the rest of the spine segments.

Conservative Treatments

Concerning problems of the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine:

• Intervertebral disc degeneration (abrasion, protrusion, hernia)

• Instability

• Deformities

• Posture abnormalities

• The aged spine

Prevention is an important and challenging part of our work. It is a well-known fact that 80 to 90 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once in their lifetime that disappears either spontaneously or as the result of treatment with the possibility of recurrence at any time. It behooves us then to think ahead, of prevention, even when the spine is symptom free.

Important Elements of Prevention

• Ergonomics,

• correct posture,

• muscle strength and endurance.

The physiotherapist is part of the patient's complex care from the initial treatments right through to the patient's return to active life.