What are the key areas of the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation?

	Orthopaedics - e.g. arthritic knee, sore back, post total hip replacement surgery
	Sports injuries - e.g. sprained ankle, rotator cuff tendonitis, post knee ligament surgery
	Neurology - e.g. strokes, diseases like Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis
	Paediatrics - e.g. developmental disabilities like cerebral palsy, and orthopaedic problems like torticollis
	Cardiac Rehab - e.g. after a heart attack
	Respiratory - e.g. Cystic Fibrosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, heart and lung transplants
	Dysphagia
	Geriatrics
	Home-modification & Assistive devices

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a form of health care that prevents, identifies, corrects and alleviates acute or prolonged movement dysfunction. The primary objective of physiotherapy is to promote optimum health and function. It is one of the oldest healthcare professions, and an important part of total health care.

Physiotherapy is a major healthcare profession practiced by university-educated, highly trained individuals who are active members of the healthcare team. Physiotherapy is a key to mobility, an independent lifestyle and wellness.

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is a science-driven, evidence-based profession that enables people of all ages to live life to their fullest by helping them promote health and prevent - or live better with - illness, injury or disability. It focuses on helping people achieve independence in all areas of their lives.

Occupational therapy looks at daily functional activities in greater detail, such as washing, dressing and kitchen activities. An occupational therapist will provide advice on equipment to aid the patient to achieve these activities independently. An occupational therapist will also look at cognitive functions and the possibilities of returning to work. Again this is not an exhaustive list, but some of the areas that will be looked at.

Which are the key areas of work that are done by a rehab team in an ICU?

Prevention and treatment of pulmonary, circulatory, musculoskeletal system and integumentary complications, by regular chest physiotherapy, graded mobilization and proper positioning of patients are some of the key areas of work done by our rehab team in the Stroke, Apex Coronary Care, Neurosurgical, Medical ICU, Surgical ICU, Paediatric ICU units.

How can a young person with a heart disease be helped by rehab experts?

Cancer treatment can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological therapy. The doctor may use one method or a combination of methods, depending on the type and location of the cancer, whether the disease has spread, the patient's age and general health, and other factors.

What is the latest rehab technique used in rehabilitation of patients who have undergone total knee replacement?

Rehabilitation after knee replacement begins immediately. The emphasis in the early stages of rehab is to maintain motion of the knee replacement and to ensure that the patient can walk safely. Biofeedback and electrical stimulation (along with conventional post surgery exercises) can be used to gain the full muscle strength and complete range of motion.

What is the meaning of ergonomics?

	All work activities should permit the worker to adopt several different, but equally healthy and safe postures
	Where muscular force has to be exerted it should be done by the largest appropriate muscle groups available
	Work activities should be performed with the joints at about the mid-point of their range of movement. This applies particularly to the head, trunk, and upper limbs.

How does physiotherapy help in women's health issues?

	Incontinence (urinary and faecal)
	Pelvic pain/dysfunction (coccydynia, vaginismus, painful intercourse, or bladder/sphincter control)
	Prolapse/pelvic floor weakness
	Pregnancy-related pain
	Lymphedema
	Osteoporosis
	Pre/post surgical instruction and treatment

Can a person with dizziness/vertigo be helped by exercises?

	Having better balance with less risk of falling and hurting yourself and others - Repeated bouts of vertigo may reduce inner ear function, which leads to a deteriorating sense of balance. These exercises may help you keep your inner ear function and balance.
	Improving self-confidence and self-esteem - As your balance improves, you may feel more confident that you can get out more and do more with others.

What is dysphagia?

Dysphagia (inability to swallow) is not a medical disease, per se, but a symptom or side effect of various neurological, structural, or cognitive conditions or deficits. It may be the result of head and neck trauma, cerebrovascular accident, neuromuscular degenerative diseases, head and neck cancer, and encephalopathies. Patients with dysphagia can be at risk for aspiration pneumonia, dehydration, malnutrition, failure to thrive, and even death.

What is the latest treatment approach for pain relief in Physiotherapy?

	Electrotherapy
	Biofeedback
	Manual therapy
	Muscle energy technique, myofascial release, positional release technique
	Stretching and strengthening exercises