Kinesitherapy - a safe return to everyday life

Kinesitherapy is one of the main elements of physiotherapy. The exercises performed as part of this therapy restore the patient's full or partial fitness, depending on their health condition. Various types of exercises are used in kinesitherapy. In addition to those performed by the patient, passive exercises performed by the physiotherapist are also often used. The movements are selected individually, and the therapy can be local or general.

Exercises performed as part of kinesitherapy strengthen muscle strength, and this makes it easier to move and function on a daily basis. They also increase the flexibility and elasticity of ligaments and joint capsules, which reduces the risk of injury. In addition, well-conducted kinesitherapy improves cardiovascular fitness and function. It can also increase lung capacity, this is associated with improved fitness, physical condition and overall health.

Indications for the use of kinesitherapy include a very wide range of diseases that fall within the scope of many different medical specializations. These include diseases of the musculoskeletal system, such as spinal deformities or conditions following limb fractures. Importantly, these are conditions in the fields of traumatology, orthopedics, and rheumatology (including rheumatic pain). Cardiological conditions such as ischemic heart disease and hypertension are also indications for kinesitherapy.

Kinesitherapy is also an important element of therapy for cancer patients. It is often recommended for women who have undergone mastectomy as a way to prevent swelling and contractures. In addition, kinesitherapy is an appropriate physiotherapy treatment that helps restore mobility after surgery. Everyday functioning, i.e. everything that was simple and intuitive before the surgery, may cause some difficulties during the recovery period. It is extremely important to regain the rhythm of daily activities as quickly as possible. It is important to return to this in a gentle and safe manner.

In addition, kinesitherapy can be used to stimulate the circulatory and respiratory systems, whose normal rhythm may have been disrupted by a lack of movement. In order to effectively counteract these adverse effects of stagnation, our physiotherapists have developed sets of simple exercises that are presented to patients before the procedure. It is recommended that they be performed regularly, which significantly improves the speed of recovery. One day after the operation, in addition to individually tailored exercises, we teach patients the optimal ways to move during convalescence, e.g., the proper way to walk, stand up, or sit down. The types of exercises performed can be divided into:

• unequal exercises that improve overall physical fitness, i.e.: increase respiratory capacity,
• exercises that act locally,
• passive exercises, performed with special equipment or by a physiotherapist,
• active exercises, performed by the patient with the help of a physiotherapist,
• special exercises, a combination of passive and active exercises.

All indications and contraindications for a given type of exercise are determined by the rehabilitation team, which takes into account the type of surgery performed and the patient's current physical condition.