Physical therapy (also physiotherapy) is a health profession that assesses and provides treatment to individuals to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and function throughout life. This includes providing treatment in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors. It is one of the fields of contemporary medicine which develops dynamically as a result of scientific and technological progress. As a consequence, the majority of physiotherapeutic techniques came into existence only in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. Moving forward, technological advances with equipment (among others the application of laser, ultrasound, electromagnetic field, UV rays and IR, and electric current treatment) meant that physiotherapists had more information at their fingertips so as to apply tailor made rehabilitation techniques. At present, physiotherapy is a procedure which includes a lot of rehabilitative actions, amongst others: kinesitherapy, massage and physical treatment.

The primary aim of physiotherapy treatment is to suppress pathological signs and their after-effects, to prevent diseases and to restore the patient’s fitness.

PHYSIOTHERAPY AT THE CAROLINA MEDICAL CENTER

The Carolina Medical Center offers individual physiotherapeutic programs following the highest international standards. Our competent and experienced physiotherapy unit staff  are required to constantly improve their qualifications and to develop their scientific expertise; to stay current with the latest in scientific breakthroughs; to participate in congresses and conferences and to take part in international internships. As part of their cooperation with the Polish Sports Traumas Association (PTTS), our physiotherapists act as academic teachers within the field of orthopaedic and sports rehabilitation.

We specialize in the rehabilitation of patients with sports related traumas and those who have undergone orthopedic operations.

We provide specific rehabilitation for athletes, specifically tailored to meet the demands of the professional sportsman or woman.

As part of the agreement between the Carolina Medical Center and the Polish Olympic Committee (PKOl) our medical staff will be taking care of the Polish Olympic Team during the London 2012 Olympics and the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

PHYSIOTHERAPY COMPETENCY CENTRES:

• hand, elbow joint and shoulder
• knee and hip joints
• foot, ankle joint, Achilles tendon
• spine
• soft tissue

THERAPEUTIC METHODS OFFERED:

• Kinesitherapy: exercises: passive, assisted, active, with resistance, proprioception, stabilizing; also: stretching, chiropractic, kinesi-taping, Master Therapy, mobilization of tissues
• massage: classical, lymphatic, connective tissue
• physical treatment: electrostimulation, ultrasound, iontophoresis, TENS, cryotherapy, laser;
• as well as functional sports training

A physiotherapeutic class lasts for 60 minutes. The first meeting is held individually with the physiotherapist, the next — with a maximum of 2 patients.

Modern operating procedures and up-to-date equipment enable us to commence treatment directly after the operation has been completed.

One of the Carolina Medical Center’s key efficiency factors is the permanent Doctor supervision during the whole process of rehabilitation and his or her close cooperation with the physiotherapeutic team to see that the patient receives the utmost care. During regular meetings, every patient’s therapy and progress is discussed. Consequently, recovery time is shortened to a minimum.

The physiotherapy Warsaw department also closely cooperates with the Diagnostic Centre for Physical Movement and Function, in which body functioning tests are conducted (so far applied to the evaluation of the strength potential of athletes and the possibilities of improving their training). The information from these tests is used to diagnose motor organ overloading effects and also for the assessment of rehabilitation effectiveness and possible alterations of the treatment program.

The physiotherapy room is about 530 square metres (5 705 square feet) in size and is equipped with the most modern tools for treatment and sports training, amongst these: a balance platform with biofeedback; a Red Cord system for joint stabilization and sports rehabilitation; a Power Plate; equipment for functional and forcible training and equipment for physical treatment.

At the CMC we also have these items available for purchase: ortheses, collars, wrist stabilizers, crutches, shoes for ankle joint trauma, Malleo and Achillo socks and other helpful protection and rehabilitation tools.

There is also a modern fitness room at our patients’ disposal. They can continue their recreational or medical training under our professional team’s supervision.

The service is available during weekdays from 7am to 10pm. For post-operative patients it is also available during weekends and public holidays. Physiotherapeutic treatment at the Carolina Medical Center is only performed with patients holding a referral issued by a doctor.

We offer a Physiotherapy Personal Pass for 12 Physiotherapy classes valid for 3 months or a Pass for 24 Physiotherapy classes valid for 6 months. Physiotherapy Personal Pass terms and conditions are available at the Physiotherapy Reception at the 1^st floor.