Our staff team includes
people with many different professional backgrounds. Here we look at Physiotherapy and what
support is available to both staff and service users.
What do physiotherapists do?
Physiotherapists help
people affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise,
manual therapy, education and advice.
They maintain health for
people of all ages, helping patients to manage pain and prevent disease.
The profession helps to
encourage development and facilitate recovery, enabling people to stay in work
while helping them to remain independent for as long as possible.
What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a
science-based profession and takes a ‘whole person’ approach to health and
wellbeing, which includes the patient’s general lifestyle.
At the core is the
patient’s involvement in their own care, through education, awareness,
empowerment and participation in their treatment.
You can benefit from
physiotherapy at any time in your life. Physiotherapy helps with back pain or
sudden injury, managing long-term medical condition such as asthma, and in
preparing for childbirth or a sporting event.
Why physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a
degree-based healthcare profession. Physios use their knowledge and skills to
improve a range of conditions associated with different systems of the body,
such as:
- Neurological (stroke,
multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's)
- Neuromusculoskeletal
(back pain, whiplash associated disorder, sports injuries, arthritis)
- Cardiovascular
(chronic heart disease, rehabilitation after heart attack)
- Respiratory (asthma,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis).
Physiotherapists work in a
variety of specialisms in health and social care. Additionally, some
physiotherapists are involved in education, research and service management.
What is the role of the personal assistant in
physiotherapy?
We all play a vital role in ensuring best physiotherapy
best practice is used. Some of the main
areas to consider are:
- Mobilising and promoting movement
- Ensuring appropriate posture in bed or chair
- Correct repositioning
- Promoting independence in daily activities
How can we promote mobilisation and reduce the risk
of injury?
Each of us should on a
daily basis, encourage service
users to mobilise as much as possible.
We can do this by promoting greater independence and offering encouragement
to move, change position from bed to
chair and maintaining personal
hygiene.
Where service
users require assistance to move there are some key points to remember. Always consult the moving and handling
assessment. Ensure the environment is
safe and the equipment needed is in place.
Use your moving and handling training and remember the basic of good
posture:
- Put your feet in a wide stable position
- Ensure you have a good hold on equipment or service user
- Use equipment to assist you
- Don’t lift weight, instead guide, support or steady.
What is a pressure ulcer?
A pressure ulcer (bedsore) is an area of skin and tissue
damage caused by pressure, shear, friction or mixture of these factors.
Pressure is the direct force on the skin and tissues which affects the person
if he or she remains in one position for too long. This is common when people
are being cared for in bed or sitting up in a chair for long periods of time
without moving or being moved. Two hours is the maximum allowable time in one position
for many people. The blood supply to the tissues is reduced or cut off when
tissue is compressed against bone for long periods of time .This may cause
blue/black skin damage, which can appear like bruising on the skin.
What can we do to prevent skin damage?
Some important steps can be taken to reduce the risk to people
who are vulnerable to skin damage. This includes:
- Inspecting the skin regularly
- Making sure all surfaces, such as the bed and chair, are appropriate
to the person
- Assisting the person to reposition him or herself on a regular basis
- Use manual handling aids to minimise shear and friction.
The techniques and equipment available for pressure
redistribution are:
- Repositioning
- Specialist mattresses
- Specialist beds
- Specialist cushion
- Other aids, such as heel protectors
More information on Tissue Viability can be found on the
Care Inspectorate website or by following the following link Tissue Viability
Where can I learn more about what a Physiotherapist
does?
If
you need more help or advice then please feel free to contact me as I am only
too happy to help. You can also follow me on the SCA blog or Forum. You can also learn more about
what a physiotherapist does by following the link below:
Agnieszka Korplaska
Team Leader + Professional Advisor - Physiotherapy
Team Leader + Professional Advisor - Physiotherapy
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