Therapeutic techniques and Sports Medicine Chapter 19 The

Therapeutic techniques and Sports Medicine Chapter 19

The Physical Therapy Department • The physical therapy department is made up of trained people who work as a team to assist and direct patients in the rehabilitation process. • Their main goal is to reduce pain, prevent deformity, and promote healing • They also attempt to restore function or assist patients by teaching them new ways to adjust to their disabilities

The Physical Therapy Department • Physical therapy workers may work in the following facilities and agencies: • • Acute care facilities Long-term care facilities Rehabilitation centers Schools that educate disabled persons Public health agencies Home-health care agencies Sports medicine centers Professional or school sports team

Responsibilities of a physical therapy aide • Prepare equipment (hydrotherapy pools) • Assist patients: • • With walking and gait training To dress and undress To position themselves To remove and replace braces, splints, and slings • Change linens on beds and tables • Fold linens • Clean equipment and work area • May inventory materials and supplies

Sports Medicine aide/ athletic trainer • One subspecialty of working as a physical therapy aide is working as a sports medicine aide. • Sports medicine is one of the fastest growing fields in medicine. • It includes working with professional sports teams, high school and college athletes, and individuals with sports-related injuries.

Responsibilities of a sports medicine aide/athletic trainer • Perform all the duties of a physical therapy aide • Prepare equipment(massage tables) • Assist in injury treatments, evaluations, and rehabilitation of athletes • Assist or performs taping, wrapping, protective bracing, and equipment fitting • Help out in pre-practice preparation and post-practice follow-up • Be on hand to assist in event coverage

Massage therapy techniques in sports medicine • Massage therapy plays an important role in sports medicine • Massage is the practice of manipulating the soft tissues of the human body in order to prevent injury or aid in the recovery from injury. • The benefits of massage are an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs. • Massage therapy is helpful for several chronic conditions including lower back, arthritis, bursitis, and fatigue. • Massage helps prevent injury and restores mobility to injured muscle tissue.

Preparing patients for therapy • The aide will assist and prepare: • • • The patient Supplies Equipment • There are various types of therapy and each requires a slightly different preparation

Ultraviolet light • -used to treat various diseases, especially those of the skin • It is used to treat the following: • • Acne Pressure sores Psoriasis Wound infections • This treatment can cause severe burning. For this reason, the patient cannot be left unobserved in the room during treatment

diathermy • -the heat inducing treatment that increases the circulation in the treated area • It is often used to treat the following: • • Muscle problems Arthritis Bursitis Tendonitis • Metal attracts heat during this procedure, so it is your responsibility to have the patient remove all jewelry and check to see if they have metal implants, etc

ultrasound • Uses high-frequency sound waves to penetrate deep tissues • It is most commonly used to treat • Pain • Muscle spasms • Problems in circulation • Ultrasound is also used to diagnose specific conditions • Physical therapy only uses ultrasound for therapeutic purposes • This is not suitable for patients with joint implants

thermotherapy • Refers to heat treatments • Heat is used to speed up the healing process • Heat causes the blood vessels to expand • This allows more to circulate to the area • If the area is swollen or inflames the blood helps absorb and carry away the extra fluid

thermotherapy • Is used to: • • Relieve pain Promote muscle relaxation Reduce muscle spasms Reduce inflammation Treat skin ulcers Treat perineal lacerations Reduce swelling Promote drainage • There are two kinds of thermotherapy; moist heat and dry heat

thermotherapy • Moist heat is applied with the following: • • • Hot soaks Hot compresses Hot packs • Dry heat is applied with • • Heat lamps Infrared lights Standard electric bulbs Heating pads

thermotherapy • You need to prepare hot packs so that they are ready when needed • Always check the skin for signs of extreme redness or burning • If a patient complains of discomfort, remove the packs immediately

cryotherapy • Cold therapy causes the blood vessels to get smaller • This slows the flow of blood to the area • This reduces the amount of fluid and helps reduce pain • Cold application is used to: • • • Relieve pain Reduce body temperature Control bleeding Reduce inflammation Prevent edema

cryotherapy • Cryotherapy can be given in two ways: dry cold or moist cold • Dry cold includes the use of: • Ice bags • Ice collars • Moist cold includes the use of: • • • Cold compresses Cold packs Ice massage

cryotherapy • Prepare cold packs so they are ready when needed • Always check the skin for signs of whiteness or bluishness. • If these occur, stop treatment immediately

Hydrotherapy • Water therapy • Hydrotherapy is usually given in a whirlpool • The whole body may be treated or just a limb • This treatment is used to: • • Apply soothing medication Promote relaxation Improve circulation and mobility of an injured limb Loosen and remove dead skin

Hydrotherapy • This treatment is accomplished in various-sized tubs ranging from small basins to a swimming pool. • Your responsibility is to: • Assist the patient in disrobing or exposing the area to be treated • Ensure that the water temperature is correct • Secure the patient to ensure there is no danger or injury • Disinfect and clean the equipment • Assist the patient when large areas of the body are to be submerged • Clean the tub after each treatment

Range of motion • Range-of motion(ROM) exercises are very important for the resident who has limited movement. • ROM exercises are given to: • Stimulate circulation to decrease chance of blood clots or decubitus ulcers • Prevent contractures (permanent contraction of the muscle) • Prevent mineral loss • Prevent other problems such as poor appetite, constipation, respiratory problems, hypostatic pneumonia

Range of motion • Residents are encouraged to move each joint to the best of their ability • This is called active ROM • When you do passive ROM for your residents, you move the joints for them.

Antiembolism Hose • Are used to prevent blood from pooling in the legs • This reduces the possibility of developing phlebitis and blood clots • Elasticized hose are called TEDS or antiembolism hose • These extend from the ankle or foot to calf or midthigh • They are applied after surgery when there is danger of a clot forming and causing thrombophlebitis

Guarding techniques • Use guarding techniques when moving patients from place to place • These techniques protect the patient while transferring a patient from the bed to a gurney or chair, chair to toilet and back again • You use a variety of techniques to transfer the patient: • Pivot technique • Sliding technique • Lifting technique

Guarding techniques • You also use guarding techniques when the patient is ambulating • All patients who can support themselves are encouraged to walk alone or with assistance of another person • You may need to use: • • A guarding belt Use two people to assist Allow patients to hold onto you Use a handrail

exercising • Physical therapy department personnel work with patients to maintain normal functions of all parts of the body • This is accomplished by: • Active ROM • Passive ROM

Rehabilitation Equipment • Ambulation devices assist patients to walk • Canes- provide a third base of support for patients who are slightly unstable on their feet • Use a cane when patients are: • Slightly weaker on one side • Easily thrown off balance • Insecure walking alone

crutches • Provide support and stability by promoting use of hands and arms more than the legs • Use them when patients are able to bear weight: • On one foot or leg • Only partially on one leg or on both feet and legs

walkers • Provide support and stability • Use them when patients are: • Relearning to walk • On limited weight-bearing • Unstable on their feet • To use a walker, the patient must be able to use their hands and arms to adapt properly • Braces- provide specific support for weakened muscle joints or immobilize an injured joint

prosthesis • An artificial body part or an aid to a part of the body that minimizes a disability • The device must be: • Padded • Have good straps • Clean and overall appearance

Transporting devices • Include equipment to move patients from one place to another • The most common type are wheelchairs and gurneys • These make it easy for patients to move who are unable to walk

Adaptive- Assistive Devices • Include equipment that helps a person perform daily activities • These devices range from special holders for silverware to devices that help people put on socks or button clothing

Oxygen therapy • Some residents require oxygen to help them breathe • Concentrated oxygen help these residents breathe more easily • The following are common ways to give oxygen therapy: • Nasal cannula • mask

Oxygen therapy • You have a specific responsibilities for a resident on oxygen therapy: • Ensure all oxygen rules are followed • Check the face and behind the ears to see if the strap is chafing the skin or irritation • Cleaning the oxygen mask or cannula • Provide oral hygiene • Keep tubing free of kinks or blockage • Checking flow rate and oxygen humidifier frequently • Immediately report to supervisor any changes