Physiotherapy: Core Concepts and Practical Applications

Perform a comprehensive general examination before treatment to guide a tailored physiotherapy plan, combining patient information, subjective history, and a thorough objective assessment of pain, movement, and neurological function.

Explore biomechanics, including kinetics and kinematics, key terms like force, center of gravity, axis, and planes; learn joint motions, muscle contractions, levers, kinematic chains, and muscle strengthening progression.

Explore fundamental positions including standing, kneeling, sitting, lying, and hanging, and their derived positions to tailor stability, posture, and targeted muscle work in exercise therapy.

Perform relaxed passive movements under therapist guidance, emphasizing fixation, support, and safe range of motion, then apply active exercises—free, assisted, and resisted—to improve mobility and circulation.

Explain how stretching elongates shortened tissues to improve range of motion, and review passive, active assisted, and self-stretching, with common causes of contracture and key precautions.

Explore how relaxation reduces stress through physical and mental practices, including muscular relaxation, breathing, imagery, autogenic training, and meditation, and learn a home program for progressive and passive muscle relaxation.

Explore goniometry, the measurement of joint angles using the universal goniometer, to assess range of motion, landmarks, alignment, and end field in clinical practice.

Coordinate movement arises from prime movers, antagonists, synergists, and fixators under brain control, guided by kinesthetic sense; the lecture covers Frenkel re-education and mobilization techniques with Maitland and Goldenberg definitions.

Learn suspension therapy fundamentals, rope and sling configurations, vertical and axial fixation, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation to promote active participation and rehabilitation.

Explore Swiss balls, physio balls, and stability balls as versatile tools to improve balance, strength, and flexibility, with applications in sports, recreation, and rehabilitation for all ages.

Explore prostheses and orthoses, from amputations to fitting, assessment, and rehabilitation, covering transtibial and transfemoral prostheses, knee and hip disarticulation options, and footwear and orthotic interventions.

Explore how transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation relieves pain through low-intensity impulses, strategic electrode placement, and its indications and contraindications for conditions like sciatic pain and cervical spondylosis.

Explore microwave diathermy, a magnetron-produced therapy that increases tissue metabolism and induces vasodilatation to relieve pain, with indications like trapezius spasm and shoulder osteoarthritis; beware burns and pacemaker interference.

Explore ultraviolet radiation, spanning 10-400 nm and used therapeutically via mercury vapor lamps or fluorescent tubes. Outline indications, dosage, sensitizers, contraindications, and safety considerations for ultraviolet therapy.

Explore infrared radiation and laser therapy, including non-luminous and luminous generators, with indications for pain relief, muscle relaxation, and wound healing, and contraindications such as defective arterial circulation.