1. PHYSIOTHERAPY
I.-DEFINITION:
Physical therapy or physical therapy is the science of treatment
through: physical media, therapeutic exercise , massage therapy
and electrotherapy. In addition, physical therapy includes the
execution of electrical tests and manuals to determine the value of
the impairment and muscle strength, tests to determine the
functional capabilities, the amplitude of the movement to
articulate and measures of vital capacity, as well as diagnostic aid
for the evolution control.
II.-FUNCTIONS
Health care function
Physical therapist shall establish an assessment prior and personalized to each patient and issue
physiotherapy diagnosis, which will consist of a system of functional assessment and a system of
registration and clinical history of physiotherapy, according to which, it will be therapeutic targets
and consequently will design a therapeutic plan using own and exclusive physical agents of their
discipline. The main tool of the physiotherapist is the hand and consequently, manual therapy.
Like this:
Massage therapy: application of various forms of massage, massage therapy, manual
lymph drainage therapy, deep transverse massage, Cryo- massage, sports massage,
induction and myofascial release, neuro-muscular manual techniques, miotensivas,
connective tissue massage, reflex massage, massage of the periosteum, etc.
Kinesiotherapy, or movement therapy.
Handling, spinal and peripheral joints. Manual physical therapy Orthopedic or Manual
therapy
Therapeutic exercises.
Global postural reeducation
Motor control.
Joint mobilizations, neuro-meníngeas, fasciales and visceral.
Stretching analytical in physical therapy: analytical therapeutic maneuvers in the
treatment of muscle-skeletal diseases.

2. Manual methods of re-education of postural tone, synergies and pathological neuro-
motor patterns in the case of the Neurological physical therapy
But it also helps other physical medicine agents through the use of health technologies :
Electrotherapy: application of electrical currents.
Ultrasonoterapia: application of ultrasound.
Contact hyperthermia: application of hyperthermia or
contact Diathermy equipment.
Hydrotherapy: water therapy.
Thermotherapy: heat therapy.
Mechanical: mechanical devices to therapy application.
Radiation: except ionizing radiation.
Magnet therapy: therapy using electromagnetic fields.
Cryotherapy – Therapy through the cold.
Laser- therapy.
Vibro-therapy.
Pressotherapy.
Radial shock wave therapy.
Electro bio-feedback.
Other physical medicine agents applied to therapy.
III. PROCESSES INVOLVING PHYSICAL THERAPY
Physiotherapy intervene in pathological all clinical specialties processes provided that they
indicated the implementation of any of the physical therapeutic modalities described above, being
physical therapist responsible for assessing and planning objectives and therapeutic measures of
physical therapy:
 Attention for Psychiatryand Mental health care: depression, anxiety, disorders of
eating behavior, addiction, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, personality, etc.
 Kinesiology

3.  Obstetrics and Gynecology: Re-education pre and post delivery, urinary incontinence,
etc.
 Pediatrics: Children's Cerebral paralysis, Paralysis brachii obstetric, bronchiolitis,
Arthrogryposis, early care, etc.
 From issues of the vascular system, care of amputees, lymphatic and venous drainage,
etc.
 Neurology: sciatica, herniated disc, Hemiplejías, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson, paralysis
of neurological origin, TEC, spinal cord injury, etc.
 Gerontology: loss of mobility and functionality of the elderly patient.
 Pneumology: COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Lobectomy, etc.
 Traumatology and orthopaedics: sprains, fractures, dislocations, muscular breakage,
sports injuries, deviations from the column, postoperative recovery.
 Rheumatology: arthrosis, arthritis, Fibromyalgia, calcifications, Osteoporosis,
Spondylarthritis, etc.
 Cardiology: Re-education the effort of patients cardiópatas.
 Coloproctology: Fecal Incontinence.
 Oncology: Lymphedema post-mastectomy .
 Hematology: hemophilia .
 Rehabilitation.
 The burn patient physiotherapy.
 Other: Psychosomatic disorders, stress, etc.
Uses of physical therapy
1.-Incontinence
They have been in practice a large number of therapies to ease symptoms of incontinence
(inability to control the evacuation of urine). Among them are: neuromuscular electrostimulation
of the pelvic floor combined with exercises, or just carrying out exercises to strengthen the
muscles of the pelvic floor (Kegel exercises), the use of vaginal cones or Chinese balls. Among
other measures that have been studied is the volume of the bladder, vaginal palpation or
perception of improvement. In general terms, the improvements in the short term have been
observed with exercises of the pelvic floor and the use of Chinese balls. Physical therapy has

4. proven to be more effective than relaxation techniques based on a test. However, we need to
make more elaborate tests and comparisons with placebos to confirm these results.
2.-Osteoarthritis of the knee
The results revealed that the combined use of manual physical therapy exercise under supervision
was beneficial for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.
3.-Pain
Physical therapy has been used for the treatment of pain of very diverse nature, including the
tagline-femoral pain, wrist pain, postoperative and chronic pain. Hot packs to moderate
temperature therapy can help alleviate pain and wrist problems.
4.-Cervical trauma
Studies have shown that physical therapy and active exercises are more effective than
conventional care. According to a study in particular, the manipulative treatment would reduce
the recovery period of more quickly than the physiotherapeutic treatments. .
5.-Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Stretching or aerobic and strengthening exercises might improve the dorsiflexion of the ankle, the
ability of movement and the resistance to extend the knee. It is necessary to carry out further
studies in this regard.
6.-Asthma
Chest physiotherapy and respiratory physical therapy applied to children and adults to improve
their quality of life and his lung capacity in cases of serious and acute asthma.
7.-Nervous disorders
8.- Bone density
To improve bone density, applied physiotherapy techniques under supervision or through
exercises at home, combined with resistance exercises in physically weak older women taking
substitute hormonal. In patients with arthritis exercise programs have been applied to long-term
high-intensity with weights, producing positive results. While the data are encouraging, it is
necessary to carry out further studies in this regard.
9.-Brain damage
Patients with chronic brain injury of traumatic type often have problems walking (movement).
10.-Cardiovascular disorders
11.-Carpal tunnel syndrome

5. 12.-Cerebral palsy
13.-Fractures
14.-Rheumatoid arthritis
15.-Problems in spinal cord
16.-Strain and sprain
17.-Strength Enhancer
18.-Stroke
IV.-SPECIALTIES
Precisely for this reason, arise the specialties of the physiotherapy is enrolled as a postgraduate
studies:
Physiotherapy veterinary
Dental physiotherapy
Traumatologic physiotherapy
Oncological physiotherapy
Orthopedic physical therapy
Obstetric physiotherapy
Gynecologic physiotherapy
Cardiovascular physiotherapy
Physiotherapy in critical care
Respiratory physiotherapy
Physical therapy in mental health and Psychiatry
Chest physiotherapy
Rheumatologic physiotherapy
Neurological physiotherapy
Child neurological physiotherapy

6. Geriatric physical therapy
Pediatric physiotherapy
Physiotherapy uroginecológica
Physical therapy Manual or manual therapy in orthopedics (English manual therapy ))
Sport physiotherapy
Physiotherapy in occupational health and work
Physiotherapy ergonomics
Physiotherapy in alternative treatments
Plastic and aesthetic physiotherapy
Physiotherapy specialist in balneotherapy and hydrotherapy
Manipulation of the muscle fascia, Stecco L
V-PHYSIOTHERAPY AND REHABILITATION
There is a common mistake and it is considered that physiotherapy and rehabilitation are the
same.
The truth is that rehabilitation is the result of applying, among other things reflected to recover
physical, mental, social and labour. Physiotherapy is mainly concerned the physical recovery while
rehabilitation, is a multidisciplinary and comprehensive work in which it acts as well as physical
therapy, other disciplines such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, etc.
On the other hand, as explained above physical therapy has its welfare functions in addition to the
recovery, prevention.