PT’s uses individual’s history and do physical examinations in their diagnosis & setting a treatment protocol, and if necessary, will include the results of laboratory and imaging studies. Physiotherapist uses various modalities like-

• Exercises like active, passive,aerobic,cardio,strengthening,stretching etc.
• Hydrotherapy
• Mobilization
• Manipulation
• Electrical Modalities like Ultrasonic Therapy, Laser, Microwave Diathermy, Interferential therapy, TENS (Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulator),Shock Wave Therapy and many more.

Active Exercise Motion derived from a part by doing voluntary contraction and relaxation of its controlling muscles. Active Assistive exercise voluntary contraction of muscles controlling a part, assisted by a therapist or by some other means. Aerobic Exercise a type of physical activity,which increases the heart rate and as a result use of oxygen is increased in order to improve the overall body condition.

Ballistic stretching's rapid, jerky movements employed in exercises,for stretching of muscles and connective tissue.

Buerger-Allen exercises- Perform to enhance blood circulation of the legs and feet. In this exercise the lower limb s are raised to 45-90 degree angle with some support for 2 to 3 minutes until skin blanches. After that the feet and legs are lowered or the patients adopt a high sitting posture for 5 to 10 minutes until redness appears, Followed by flat lying on bed for 10 minutes.

Cardiovascular Exercise are exercises to enhance cardiovascular system capacity. Done at least twice per week, with most programs conducted three to five or more times weekly. The contraction of major muscle groups must be repeated often enough to elevate the heart rate to a target level determined during testing. Used in cardiac rehabilitation, or as a preventive measure.

Corrective Exercise are exercises planned and performed to attain a specific physical benefit, such as maintenance of the range of motion, strengthening of weakened muscles, increased joint flexibility, or improved cardiovascular and respiratory function. Endurance Exercise Involvement of several large groups of muscles and is dependent on the delivery of oxygen to the muscles by the cardiovascular system; used in physical fitness programs as well as cardiovascular and pulmonary function testing.

Isokinetic exercise are dynamic muscle activity performed at a constant angular velocity. Isometric Exercise (Iso= Same, Metric-Length) Active exercise performed against constant resistance, without change in the length of the muscle.

Isotonic Exercise(Iso= Same, Tonic= Tone) are active exercise with negligible change in the force of muscular contraction, with shortening of the muscle.

Kegel Exercises- Exercise for strengthening of pelvic floor and prevention urinary incontinence. Performed by a series of contractions and relaxations of perineal muscles. Done with the help of Kegel’s Exerciser.

McKenzie Exercise are exercise regimen used in the treatment of low back pain and sciatica, prescribed according to findings during mechanical examination of the lumbar spine and using a combination of lumbar motions, including flexion, rotation, side gliding, and extension. It is sometimes referred to as McKenzie extension exercises, but this is a misnomer because the regimen involves movements other than extension.

Muscle-Setting Exercise (Static Exercise) are voluntary contraction and relaxation of skeletal muscles static/constant muscle length or moving the associated part of the body.

Passive Exercise Movement or motion done to a body part or segment by another individual, machine or outside force or by voluntary effort of another segment of patient's own body.

Pelvic Floor Exercise-Combination of strength and endurance exercises of pelvic floor muscles (circumvaginal or perianal). These are used in stress urinary incontinence; the patient is taught to isolate and contract muscles 103 times daily.

Quadriceps Setting Exercise - Isometric exercise to strengthen (Quadriceps) muscles needed for ambulation. The patient is instructed to contract the quadriceps muscle while at the same time elevating and dorsiflexing the heel and pushing the knee toward the mat.

Range Of Motion (ROM) Exercises are exercises that move joint through its full range of motion, that is, to the highest degree of motion of which joint normally is capable; they may be either active or passive.

Examples of range of motion exercises:

• Flexion: The bending of a joint in the body.(angle between the joint decreases)
• Extension: A movement opposite to that of flexion in which a joint is in a straight position.
• Rotation: Pivoting a body part around its axis, as in shaking the head.
• Adduction: Moving toward the midline of the body or to the central axis of a limb.
• Abduction: A movement of a limb away from the median plane of the body; the fingers are abducted by spreading them apart.
• Circumduction: A combination of movements that cause a body part to move in a circular fashion.(combination of all movements like flexion,extension,abduction and adduction).
• Supination: Extension of the forearm to bring the palm of the hand upward.
• Pronation: Movement of the forearm in the extended position that brings the palm of the hand to a downward position.
• Inversion: Movement of the ankle to turn the sole of the foot medially.
• Eversion: Movement of the sole of the foot laterally.

Resistive Exercises-performed against an opposing force(as tolerated by a person) to increase muscle strength.Resistance applied may be either isometric,isotonic or isokinetic.

Static Stretching Exercise-placement of muscles and connective tissues at their maximum length by a constant force in the direction of lengthening.

Strengthening Exercises- also known as force increasing exercises, prescribed to a person who shows weakness in individual muscles or muscle groups. Performed with relatively high resistance, but with few repetitions(3 to 10) followed by 1-2 minutes of rest.It is performed daily in early stages of rehabilitation.

The therapeutic use of electricity to the human body as in the treatment of pain,paralysis or muscles weakness. Numerous modalities are in use like Ultrasonic therapy(UST),Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation(TENS),Interferential Therapy(IFT),Laser,Shock wave Therapy,Diathermy[Long, Short, Micro](Continuous or pulse Mode),Traction(Cervical or Lumbar) and many more.

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