Palejowe ABC - PHYSiotherapy

A big role in the physiotherapy process is played by the patient's well-being and the relationship between the patient and the physiotherapist. Our team makes every effort to make this process as smooth as possible, while making the patient feel comfortable during the sessions.

Patients coming to physiotherapy face many changes not only at the level of physical functioning, but also mentally. Recuperation from surgery or illness, changes in quality of life, pain, anxiety, and all the patient's previous life experiences are all baggage with which the patient comes to physiotherapy.

Sometimes working with a child can be more challenging, requiring the development of new strategies for action. After all, the child is rarely a voluntary patient. Mostly it is the parents, together with the doctors, who decide on the need for surgery and then physiotherapy. This is, of course, for the benefit of the child and to improve his quality of life, but the child may have a different opinion. Therefore, working with a young patient requires special understanding, empathy and leaning on the little person, who may protest during exercises or be very afraid of being in pain.

The role of the parents and the physiotherapist is to explain to the child what will happen during the activities and what the goal is. If the child knows that through the exercises his body will function better and thus achieve his goals more easily, such as being able to play soccer, eat independently, walk without the use of crutches, he will thus be more willing to engage in the exercises.

However, before you can celebrate success, you will initially have to face the anxieties and fears that often surface in the perioperative period. Any doubt related to the physiotherapy process is worth discussing with a specialist. A physiotherapist, based on the best knowledge and experience, will provide guidance on which activities and actions are safe for the patient, and which are better avoided. Such an approach will help alleviate anxiety, which appears as a natural response to something unknown.

Patients who experience postoperative pain may be afraid to take on new challenges during physiotherapy. A child may be reluctant to move a body part that was recently operated on for fear of pain and the belief that it could be dangerous. In such situations, it is important to reassure the young patient, accept his or her experiences and fears, and reassure him or her that what is happening in physiotherapy is safe and beneficial to health.

When attending physiotherapy, it is worth remembering that the best results will be achieved through regular meetings and exercises at home (according to the physiotherapist's instructions).

A parent's attitude toward exercise can influence how a child perceives the need for regular physical therapy. Emphasizing the importance of how following the recommendations can improve physical fitness and lead to the child regaining more control, independence and fitness than he or she currently has can have a profound positive psychological impact. As a result, it will lead to the child becoming more involved in the whole process.

Pain, anxiety and even a significant reduction in mood are common as patients recover from surgery. They have to come to terms with the changes, immobilization, and restriction of activities. From the perspective of a healthy person, it can be difficult to imagine what a person experiences after a surgical procedure, so it is then extremely important to be attentive to the patient, his needs and the signals he sends us.

If the fear of exercise is too strong and hinders further work, it is worthwhile to seek the support of a psychologist who, in cooperation with the child, parents and physiotherapist, will develop effective strategies for dealing with anxiety. However, it should never be the case that the patient's pain is downplayed. It happens, of course, that it is the fear of pain that makes the body tense up and really start to hurt. Sometimes it is the parents who fear that the child will experience pain during physiotherapy and they transfer their fears to the child. Thus, they may unknowingly discourage their child from exercising and following the recommendations. All the more at such moments, it is worth betting on an honest dialogue and explaining all their concerns. Even if there is no medical cause for the pain, it is important to look into it and take care of the patient. Perhaps he needs more support and care. He wants you to notice his tension, his anxiety, and together work out a way of working that will benefit both the physiotherapist and, above all, the patient.

The relationship between patient and physiotherapist should be based on mutual trust. This is because the work requires long, sometimes intense physical contact. Experiences, gained during exercise, can remain in a person for many years - both positive and negative.

At Paley European Institute, we are committed to ensuring that patients leave our walls healthier than when they first came to us. As we care for the physical health and improvement of the body, we must remember to also care for the well-being and peace of mind of our patients. We know how important it is for a young person and his or her caregivers to see the progress a child is making and to notice the road they have traveled together. After intensive work, everyone deserves to celebrate successes.

Literature:

Gard, G., & Gyllensten, A. L. (2000). The Importance of Emotions in Physiotherapeutic Practice, Physical Therapy Reviews.

Kirby, S., Donovan-Hall, M., & Yardley, L. (2014). Measuring barriers to adherence: Validation of the problematic experiences of therapy scale, Disability and Rehabilitation

Lequerica, A. H., Donnell, C. S., & Tate, D. G. (2009). Patient engagement in rehabilitation therapy: Physical and occupational therapist impressions, Disability and Rehabilitation

Miller, J. S., Litva, A., & Gabbay, M. (2009). Motivating patients with shoulder and back pain to self-care: Can a videotape of exercise support physiotherapy? Physiotherapy