Physiotherapy is the treatment of physical dysfunction or injury by the use of therapeutic exercise and the application of physical modalities like heat, light, cold, current, water, sound waves. Assistive devices are also used as a part of the treatment programme. Physiotherapy is also known as ‘Physical Therapy’ and vice versa.
Physiotherapy aims at improving a patient’s quality of life through examination, diagnosis, prognosis, physical intervention and patient education.
Aims and Objectives of Physiotherapy Unit
- To make the child independent in walking and carrying out activities of daily living.
- To restore or facilitate normal function or development
- To improve overall motor functions of the child to the maximum extent possible.
- To provide aids and appliances and appropriate training in these in case independence in walking and activities of daily living cannot be achieved.
- To provide the clear model of adaptation, communication, interpretation and to motivate through therapy and counselling.
- Therapies are provided to overcome detachment, aggression, social isolation and to improve the quality of life.
Roles and Functions of Physiotherapy Unit
Children with locomotor and physical impairments are referred to the physiotherapy unit. This unit works in tandem with the Special education and Early intervention unit to provide physiotherapy services as required by a child. After thorough examination, the physiotherapist administers specific exercises to the child. Through regular administration of the exercises and regular monitoring, the children’s physical and motor capabilities are improved.
Physiotherapy unit functions by providing two major types of therapies – Exercise therapy and Electrotherapy. The following table gives the specific conditions for which each of these two types of therapies are recommended.
| Conditions for Exercise Therapy | Conditions for Electro Therapy |
| Cerebral Palsy | Disc Prolapse |
| Muscular Dystrophy | Periarthritis |
| Delayed Milestones | Fracture Conditions |
| Poliomyelitis | Rheumatoid Arthritis |
| Down Syndrome | Ligament Injuries |
| Mental Retardation | Osteo Arthritis |
| Spina Bifida | Spinal Cord Injury |
| Multiple Disabilities | Stroke |
Processes followed at the Physiotherapy Unit
When a child the physiotherapy unit at the early intervention period, the child is assessed by the therapist and a proper treatment plan is prepared according to the milestones achieved and to be achieved by the child. The therapy programmes are planned according to the needs and abilities of the child.
Different therapeutic techniques are employed to facilitate the development and meet the individual goals of the child. These techniques include:
- Neurodevelopment Technique NDT)
- Proprioceptive Neuro Muscular Facilitation (PNF)
- Rood’s Approach
In administering the required technique or therapy for a child the following strategies are observed:
- Graded exercises to maintain and improve the joint range of motion and muscle power.
- Therapy is given to inhibit abnormal reflex patterns
- Postural training is given to current abnormal postures
- Activities are given to improve balance and coordination
- Gait training is provided to improve and correct the gait pattern
- Assistive devices are provided to prevent and correct deformities
- Oro-motor exercises are given to reduce drooling problem
- Breathing exercises and proper positioning techniques to prevent respiratory complications
Beneficiaries of the Physiotherapy Unit
- List of children benefitted in Exercise Therapy unit (2021-2022) – 20
- List of patients benefitted in Electrotherapy unit (2021-2022) – 57
Therapeutic Devices
- Early intervention
- Physical Assessment
- Consultation to physically challenged persons
- Rehabilitation
Extension Services
- Orientation classes for special educators & volunteers.
The students of various colleges are generally ignorant of issues related to disabled persons. To develop right attitude towards them, we have been organizing orientation classes for college students, and we also conducting training programme for special educators, community based rehabilitation workers, volunteers since last years.
- Clinical and internship training for physiotherapy students.
Physiotherapy plays an important role in rehabilitation of physically disabled. In order to enrich their profession, the RKMVERI-FDMSE is conducting hands on training for physiotherapy students from other colleges, in and around Coimbatore.
Therapies Include
- Exercise therapy
Specific therapeutic exercises are used to improve soft tissues and joint condition (e.g. Passive and active movements, free exercises, assisted exercises, assisted- resisted exercises and resisted exercises.) - Electrotherapy
Electrotherapy means therapeutic electromagnetic waves, rays, heat, current are used to bring the physiological changes in the body that helps in relieving pain and its associated symptoms.
Target Groups
We serve for individuals with
- Cerebral palsy
- Muscular dystrophy
- Delayed milestone
- Down syndrome
- Poliomyelitis
- Disc prolapse
- Myofascial pain
- Peri Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Ligament injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Techniques
Exercise Therapy:
- Sitting balance training usuing corner chair
- GAIT training using parallel bar
- Standing balance using Electronic tilt table
- GAIT training using paediatric walker
- Stretching Exercise
- Strengthening Exercises
- Balance Training
- Play activities for early intervention
- Static cycling
- Swiss Ball therapy for head and neck control
- Passive movements and Mat activities
- Fine motor activities
- Gait training
- Rehabilitation
- Balance training
- Posture correction
- Stretching exercises
- Milestone development
- Strengthening exercises
- Fine motor co-ordination exercises
Electro Therapy:
- Traction
- Electrical never stimulation
- Ultrasound Therapy (UST)
- Interferential Therapy (IFT)
- Wax Therapy
We also treat by using following modalities:
- Traction
- Wax Bath
- Ultrasound Therapy (UST)
- Interferential Therapy (IFT)
- Electrical Nerve Stimulator
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
