What is therapeutic exercise?

Exercise plays an integral role in the recovery of function and the reduction of musculoskeletal injury risk, according to the literature. Modern medical research demonstrates strong evidence to support the use of therapeutic exercise, combined with patient education, as the most effective medicine in general, for the prevention, and treatment of a wide variety of injuries and pathologies!

“Therapeutic Exercise” is a fundamental part of physiotherapy that focuses on the aspects, both general or specific, of an individual’s physical status.

Think of physical state as a balanced diet that requires many different ingredients in order to be healthy some of them are:

• load management
• cardiovascular ability
• breathing control & respiratory capability
• stamina
• power/muscle endurance
• muscle tone
• muscular strength and flexibility
• kinaesthesia/proprioception/balance
• posture & core stability
• neuromuscular co-ordination & kinetic control
• biomechanics analysis & enhancement
• quality & function of movement patterns
• joint mobility
• nerve mobility
• nerve innervation ability
• brain plasticity (neuroplasticity) & function
• fear avoidance inhibition
• injury prevention

Therapeutic exercise is feasible as well for other aspects like resilience, the locus of control, etc that may be involved in the patient’s daily life limitations and can be affected with specific exercise tasks.

Therapeutic Exercise is commonly used, in conjunction with other physiotherapy approaches or alone, as a mean of treating a wide range of musculoskeletal and neuropathic disorders. It is also a major contributing factor to the long-term management of the patients.

Although exercise can be extremely beneficial for patients with certain injuries, it needs to be specified to the individual’s needs and cannot be used as a generic tool for everyone.

How is it done and what is needed?

Following a comprehensive clinical assessment, where any weaknesses, or possible malfunctions, are recorded through various clinical trials and strength assessments, appropriate specified exercises are been prescribed to solve the daily issues.

The appropriate therapeutic exercise plan consists of carefully selected exercises (general or specific) which are been adapted accordingly, to fully meet the needs and capabilities of each individual depending on the goal of the rehabilitation.

This ensures optimal gains, whilst the supervision by a specialized clinical physiotherapist during the performance, as well as the methodical monitoring of symptoms behavior, minimizes the likelihood of any symptoms aggravation.

How long will it take?

The overall duration of each rehabilitation can be differentiated by the following parameters:

• The starting point of each person. It is the level of overall and/or specific physical condition in which the individual is at the beginning of the program.
• The weekly availability and consistency during the execution of the program, whether it is an exercise under supervision or homework.
• Finally, regardless of the starting point, the parameter that determines the overall duration of the rehabilitation is the final goal of each individual and how many stages must be accomplished to get there.

Set your own goal and following a thorough evaluation, one of our specialized partners will guide you in your functional independence with an appropriately designed and customized rehabilitation program.

The Schroth Method is a physiotherapy approach to scoliosis treatment, which is based on exercises tailored to each patient’s spine curvature.

What is the Schroth Method?

The Schroth Method is a nonsurgical approach to scoliosis treatment. It uses customized exercises for each person with scoliosis in order to return the curved spine to a more natural position. The goal of Schroth exercises is to de-rotate, elongate and stabilize the spine in a three-dimensional plane.

This is achieved through physical therapy that focuses on:

• Restoring muscular symmetry and alignment of posture
• Breathing into the concave side of the body
• Teaching you to be aware of your posture and keep this posture in daily life.

What are Schroth exercises for scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a complex condition. From the back, it looks like a sideways curve in a C or an S shape. But what most people don’t see with a naked eye is how the vertebrae in the spine rotate as they form a curve. Spaces between the vertebrae may also become compressed in some areas and stretched in others. That’s why physical therapy for scoliosis requires a 3-D approach to address the curve from all angles. The spine rotation in scoliosis is different in each person. Schroth exercises are tailored to each person's unique curvature of the spine. The exercises can be performed while standing, sitting or lying down.

(Picture from https://scoliosisphysiotherapy.com.au/schroth-application/ )

What results can be expected after completing a Schroth program?

Most patients see visible improvement in the degree of their spine curvature after completing a Schroth program. Besides the correction of the curve, outcomes of a Schroth program may include:

• Improved posture
• Improved core stability and strength
• Easier breathing
• Less pain
• Improved overall movement pattern and function
• Improved self-management and understanding of the spine
• Better pelvis alignment

The main goal of Schroth's exercises is to prevent scoliosis from advancing. Depending on your age, bone maturity and the degree of curvature, bracing may also be a part of the treatment. Schroth-specific breathing complements the bracing as children are taught to breathe within their custom brace. Managing scoliosis with the Schroth Method and bracing may be an option for patients who want to avoid surgery. However, a long-term commitment to the Schroth guidelines is necessary to make this treatment successful.

If you are looking for further information on treatment for your scoliosis, do not hesitate to contact us and discuss further your case.

In case you are not in a position to visit our clinic, due to any kind of state, disability, or inconvenience, and you would like us to provide you with physiotherapy consultation and other physiotherapy services at your accommodation, it is feasible as per our Home Visit Consultation policy, in the areas of Chania, Palaiochora, and Apokoronas. 

In a similar situation, are commonly involved also many guests in our area with acute musculoskeletal or neuropathic pain episodes, and deficiencies in walking. In this kind of state, we keep in mind that the ignorance of the area, in addition to what is mentioned before is a major contributing factor.

Please do not hesitate to contact us, in order to get more information about our Home Visit Physiotherapy Consultation policy. Let us know about your current situation and the place you are located, with an email at info@chpc.gr or Call us at +30 697 735 5112.

Physiotherapy provided online adheres to the same concepts and procedures as traditional physiotherapy. Using a video conference platform such as Google, Whatsapp, or Skype, the therapist and client engage in a thorough assessment. Online assessments are a viable and reliable way to accurately diagnose musculoskeletal conditions, according to research. To guarantee a good quality of care, the therapist must, nevertheless, possess a great deal of training and expertise, which Chania Physiotherapy Clinic is able to provide.

REASONS TO SELECT ONLINE PHYSIOTHERAPY

There are several factors that could lead someone to select our online services.

• There isn't a physiotherapist nearby or you live in a rural location.
• You may have mobility issues.
• Because you are a digital nomad without a fixed address, online physiotherapy is your best option.
• You want to avoid frequent trips to the clinic in order to save time and gas money.
• You are tired of putting off taking care of what is bothering you, but you are unable to take time off from work.
• You are currently in our care, and you would prefer to continue working with the same physiotherapist whether you are going away for a long time or coming back.
• Avoiding exposure and social contact may lower your risk of infection and anxiety.
• You want to follow a customized therapeutic workout regimen to get healthier quickly.

INITIAL ASSESSMENT

The purpose of the first assessment session is to evaluate your issue and determine with your therapist the most effective course of therapy.

What to anticipate from your initial online examination is as follows:

1. You will participate in a video conference with a specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist.
2. To make sure that online physiotherapy is secure and appropriate for you, the physiotherapist will obtain a thorough history of your primary complaint and general health.
3. After the history is taken, objective tests will be conducted based on the information that was gathered.
4. Once a diagnosis has been made, the physiotherapist will advise you on whether to begin therapy, whether to see an orthopedic doctor or for imaging, or whether you only need guidance and advice.
5. If online physiotherapy is a good fit for you, your therapist will create an exercise plan and talk with you about your expectations for treatment and your rehabilitation goals.
6. You are going to perform the exercises to make sure the technique is correct after your physiotherapist shows you live on video what to do to begin your rehabilitation.
7. Additionally, you will receive them via email in the form of a video or PDF that you may print.
8. Finally, you will talk about scheduling a follow-up session when your physiotherapist will reevaluate you and modify or update your recovery plan.

Following your initial appointment, it's time to take an active role in your own rehabilitation by beginning your customized exercise program and follow the recommendations your physiotherapist gave you. FOLLOW UP In the follow-up appointment, your physiotherapist will: 

1. Reevaluate the situation and talk about your objectives and progress.
2. Perform with you the provided exercise program to refresh your memory on the technique.
3.  Modify your customized exercise program or add new, progressive exercises to it.
4. Send you an email with a new or revised exercise plan along with other patient information and guidance materials.
5. Schedule the next follow-up based on the patient's schedule and the patient's progress.

You can text or phone us at any time with questions you have about your rehabilitation program that cannot wait until your next session. We will do our best to respond as quickly as we can.

HOW TO BOOK AN ONLINE APPOINTMENT

You can make a reservation by giving the clinic a call, texting us, or using our website's online booking system, which lets you select the day and time that work best for you.

The sport-specific specialized interventions are recommended to athletes of all ages and physical states, whether involved in professional or recreational activity, to enhance their performance. Our method & the wide variety of potential in treating sports-related injuries are explained thoroughly below. The process is simplified into four basic steps which need to be applied methodically to ensure maximum long-term benefit for the athlete.

These steps include:

1) Comprehensive Assessment

A thorough clinical assessment needs to be based on a complete subjective examination of the history and/or potential mechanisms of injury. At the initial assessment, we should fully understand the current state of performance, the recent history of injury (and the previous where it exists), characteristics  & symptoms’ behavior in daily life, athlete’s beliefs regarding the injury, personal needs, goals, expectations of recovery, as well as some other aspects that may be important for an insight of the current clinical state.

This evidence guides our clinical assessment’s design, in order to identify and understand all of the parameters, contributing factors, or anatomical areas that affect directly or indirectly the limitation of physical performance. During the clinical assessment, which is conducted by a specialized musculoskeletal physiotherapist,  the current state of the joints, the muscle tissue, as well as neural tissue mobility are evaluated. The complete assessment of an athlete's physical condition in many cases includes the accurate measurement of muscle strength, power, torque, endurance, neuromuscular coordination, and other special tests where required.

An isokinetic dynamometer (aka Cybex) is available at our facilities and is regarded as the most reliable & science-based choice for the conduction of such measurements. In addition to the evaluation of muscle groups, the isokinetic dynamometers are also regularly used for the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries, and surgeries, but also for screening purposes during the preseason period.

In our clinic, it is also possible to perform a complete posture & gait analysis. When it is clinically relevant and/or essential, we proceed to the prescription and manufacturing of special orthotics insoles or footwear, according to the needs of the athlete. The postural assessment and gait analysis are conducted with the accuracy and reliability offered by the use of a force plate device by “FootWork”.

2) Rehabilitation Design & Execution

Following the clinical assessment, an individualized rehabilitation plan is designed and performed from day one. Our intervention capability includes multiple modalities like manual therapy, tecar therapy, dry needling, acupuncture, kinematic sports tape, etc.

Along with the treatment interventions mentioned above, the athlete is being introduced to a specifically prescribed exercise plan from the initial stages of the rehabilitation. In the cases where the nature and the healing stage of the injury allow it, the athlete works exclusively in therapeutic exercise sessions, in our well-equipped gym, under the supervision & guidance of a sports physiotherapist.

3) Sports-Specific Return to Performance

When the symptoms subside and you regain the optimum performance then you are ready for the final part of rehab which is the “return to play” state.

At this stage, the success of the recovery program is tested. Rehabilitation-orientated training sessions take place in stadiums or other sports venues, depending on the type of sport and the training requirements of each individual. By the end of the rehabilitation plan, the main goal is to accomplish 120% of the desired performance state compared to that physical status before the injury.

To achieve the optimal return to performance, we can work, at any sports venue with the athlete, in one-to-one sessions or in groups (where this is feasible). Rehab sessions at the sports venue, aim at exercise aspects like agility, neuromuscular coordination, and particular sports-specific tasks, to ensure that the athlete is ready to return to heavy training loads.

4) Round the Clock Support

Our therapists engage in continuous professional education and training in sports physiotherapy, to provide extended and updated consultation services. This continuous process ensures and certifies a high standard of professional and ethical practice.

We also provide advanced knowledge and skills in a multidisciplinary approach, when we collaborate with elite athletes (individuals or sports teams) where it is required to integrate our services with other medical professionals, coaches, strength and conditioning personnel, and support staff.

Furthermore, on-demand, we can contribute to the design, and supervision of the pre-season training sessions, for individual athletes or sports teams, for injury prevention & enhancement of functional performance.

The application of this process along with the necessary recognition, incorporation & support of the athlete’s psychosocial background, ensures that we provide the highest quality of physical therapy services in Chania, Crete, at any stage and kind of sports-specific rehabilitation, injury prevention, and injury surveillance programs.

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a mind-body exercise system designed to improve balance, strength, flexibility, and posture in a safe and enjoyable way. It focuses on controlled movements, combined with breathing and concentration, to develop a strong and balanced body.

What is Therapeutic Clinical Pilates?

Clinical Pilates is a specialized form of Pilates supervised by qualified physiotherapists. It integrates traditional Pilate’s exercises with rehabilitation principles to address specific injuries, chronic conditions, or musculoskeletal imbalances. By tailoring exercises to individual needs and any existing limitations, Clinical Pilates aims to enhance movement patterns, prevent injuries, and promote optimal physical function.

When can Clinical Pilates help?

Clinical Pilates can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions or dysfunctions, such as:

• Low back pain
• Cervical syndrome
• Osteoporosis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Meniscus, patella problems
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear
• Tendonitis
• Sprains
• Athletic injuries
• Piriformis syndrome
• Problems in the sacroiliac joint (SIJ)
• Shoulder rotator cuff syndrome
• Frozen shoulder
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Fibromyalgia

What are the results of Clinical Pilates?

The results of Clinical Pilates are numerous and include:

• Improved posture and body awareness
• Improved endurance and core stability
• Improved flexibility and joint mobility
• Improved respiratory function
• Improved balance and coordination
• Relief from chronic pain
• Injury prevention
• Enhanced overall fitness and well-being

Why choose Clinical Pilates?

There are several reasons to incorporate Clinical Pilates into your daily routine.

Firstly, you will receive a personalized approach: each session is tailored to your specific needs and goals, ensuring a safe and effective exercise program.

Additionally, you'll have expert guidance: trained physiotherapists supervise your sessions, providing practical corrections and modifications to optimize your performance.

Clinical Pilates focuses on your rehabilitation program, making it ideal for people with injuries or other chronic conditions.

You'll also receive a holistic approach that promotes mental relaxation, stress reduction, and overall well-being through movement and breathing techniques.

Last but not least, you'll achieve long-term results by addressing muscular imbalances and movement difficulties, helping you create a strong foundation for lifelong health and wellness.

If you're ready to benefit from the advantages of Clinical Pilates, consult us to design a personalized program that meets your needs and desires.

The team at Chania Physiotherapy Clinic.