Physiotherapy

Treatment with physical methods or agents. Physiotherapy is used to prevent or reduce joint stiffness; restore muscle strength; reduce pain; inflammation, and muscle spasm; and retrain joints and muscles after stroke or nerve injury. Methods include heat treatment, exercises, massage, ice-packs, hydrotherapy, and TENS. Physiotherapy is also used to maintain breathing in people with impaired lung function, and to prevent and treat pulmonary complications after surgery. Techniques include breathing exercises, postural drainage, and administration of oxygen, drugs, or moisture through a nebulizer.