An Integrated Approach to Patient Management

Traditionally, physiotherapists have treated patients by localizing a joint or body part and focusing their hands-on treatment, exercise and use of electrotherapy machines on that isolated part.  Though, this method has its merits and place, a global approach to patient care, taking into account the entire body and person will yield better long-term outcomes. What are the patient management methods? Read this article by Physionique to know more about this topic.

Through the intricate and interconnected web of fascia and nervous system, we have found the body to work as an integrated unit.  What happens in one part will undoubtedly affect the rest of the body through a series of chain reactions or compensations. A sprained ankle may lead to an altered gait which can cause any number of problems with the back, hip, knee and as far up as the neck.

An integrated approach will help get to the root of the problem to find the weakest link in the chain which could be distant from the symptomatic area. Once corrected, the load distribution in the body is balanced and other weak links work themselves out as the compensations are no longer necessary.

An analogy is the old telephone wire. If it happens to get wound around really tight, you feel the tension in it. If the phone is left to hang and the wire unravels, the tension is released.  Thus, the aim of treatment is:

• to release restrictions holding the weakest link
• to facilitate and teach correct alignment and mechanics
• to provide support, stability and muscle connections required for optimal posture and movement
• to empower the patient to address core issues that will break the pain and injury cycle

This article was contributed by Physionique. Physionique is a physiotherapy clinic in Singapore that offers an array of services from physiotherapy to podiatry and sports massage and rehabilitation programmes. You can find and book an appointment with any of Physionique’s therapists with GetDoc.

Tags

• Patient management
• Physionique