To the first-timer, the thought of physiotherapy sparks off certain feelings ranging from curiosity to fear, to expectations and to excitement. In most cases, one feels disappointed or inpatient as the actual therapy session is delayed till a proper assessment of the patient's condition is carried out by the physiotherapist. By and by, a good physiotherapist will carry the patient along through every process using proper communication skills; as such a patient is free to ask questions where and when necessary and above all be patient enough as endurance is the hallmark of physiotherapy.
A physiotherapy session (especially the first) begins with a clinical assessment during which a patient is expected to supply accurate sincere answers to the questions asked by the physiotherapist. An ideal sequence goes as follows;
i. Bio-data - the patient is expected to supply information pertaining to his/her names, age, sex, address of residence and work, occupation, religion, place of origin, next of kin, phone numbers, etc.
ii. Complaint - here the patient briefly states the symptoms why he/she sought physiotherapy.
iii. Case history - this will require a detailed narration from the patient of when and how the symptoms started and immediate/previous actions taken to remedy the situation. if referred for the physiotherapy, the patient also states so and by whom.
iv. Family/social history - this stage may be difficult for some patients as they are expected to divulge information pertaining to personal life-style like size of family, smoking and drinking habits, sex life, toilet facility, source of drinking water, etc.
v. Past medical history - this includes information on past medical history of the patient and if any, means of managing it so far.
After the 'cross-examination' a patient is expected to move with the physiotherapist to the next stage called 'observation'. This is where the therapist carries out some measurements and tests on the patient some of which may require touch, tap, pinch, different posture alterations and maybe exposure of some body parts. Laboratory and radiological tests may be required from the patient at this stage if necessary.
The treatment proper comes after all these assessment and at this stage, a patient will be expected to dress sporty to allow exposure of necessary body parts only and freedom to make body movements which would otherwise be difficult if dressed gorgeously. The patient will also be expected to remove metallic ornaments (like earrings, finger rings, watch, necklace, bangles) and possibly switch off his/her mobile phones and such devices whose frequency interferes with that of some physiotherapy modalities. It is important to note that a patient must have eaten at least forty-five (45) minutes before a physiotherapy session so as to have energy for the task ahead.
Some of the treatment modalities may induce temperature changes on the patient, some stimulation of some body parts, then diverse exercise programs ranging from passive (which the therapist or a machine does for the patient) to active (which the patient does by himself/herself). In all, the therapist introduces each and possibly subjects himself to it before trying it on the patient. A patient is expected to ask questions where not clear and to call the therapist's attention should any of the treatment modalities starts exceeding his/her normal range of tolerance.
A patient is not expected to dress up and walk away immediately after a physiotherapy session, some patients may suffer syncope in that case. So it is advised that a patient drinks plenty of water and rests for about fifteen to twenty (15-20) minutes after a physiotherapy session before taking his/her leave. The therapist should instruct the patient on a suitable home program ( or ward program if on admission at a/the hospital) and notify him/her when next another physiotherapy session will take place.
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