Personalized physical therapy

What is physiotherapy?

It is a movement-based therapy that maintains and improves your physical condition. The main advantage of physiotherapy is that it is a non-invasive, non-medicated treatment method. Individually selected physiotherapy techniques and exercises can help improve the neuromuscular system, reduce or relief pain related to this system, and active movements can also have significant benefits for the heart health, the cardiovascular system, and the emotional state.

Pes Planus model of physiotherapy practice:

The principle of our work as Pes Planus physiotherapists is to take a holistic care approach to each client’s situation. We try to find the most effective integrated solution to the problem, and for each of our clients we carry out a detailed computerized or general physical examination of the body and musculoskeletal system.

Thanks to our experience in orthopedics, we know that abnormal foot support is often associated with pain in the joints and muscles above feet. If there is an abnormal, unstable support, there is a chance that the structures above will also be affected and forced to form an abnormal position (for example, lumbar or knee joint pain can be caused by an incorrect base of support). As a result of a thorough examination, we individually tailor a comprehensive treatment plan.

What are the most common medical conditions treated by our physical therapists?

• Flat feet;
• Pes cavus (a foot with an abnormally high plantar longitudinal arch);
• Plantar fasciitis;
• Hallux valgus (a bunion), both conservatively and postoperatively;
• Chronic Achilles tendinopathy (after the acute phase);
• Sprained ankle;
• Chronic ankle instability;
• Knee pain (ITB syndrome, chondromalacia, instability);
• Chronic back pain;
• Posture correction.

The course of physiotherapy services:

Physiotherapy assessment (computerized or general physical examination) | Consultation → Developing a physiotherapy treatment plan → Follow-up assessment to monitor progress (prescribed individually).

Physiotherapy assessment | Consultation:

A physiotherapy assessment is carried out to determine the causes of the current medical condition. This service is ideal not only for those, who are new to sports or have musculoskeletal conditions, but also for those, who want to learn about their own physical abilities or any muscular imbalances in their body through regular exercise.

*PES PLANUS Orthopedic and Physiotherapy Centre recommends a computerized plantograph examination of your posture, gait, and running prior to physiotherapy assessment.

The assessment includes:

• Assessment of range of motion and joint flexibility;
• Assessment of muscle strength and flexibility;
• Assessment of intramuscular balance;
• Assessment of balance and stability;
• Objective tests based on good clinical practice identify possible causes of pain.

Special attention is also paid to the assessment of foot function, the strength and control (activity) of the muscles stabilizing the arches of the foot, and the position.

We look at each situation individually, which is why the tests we use during the examination are tailored to each of you. We also take into account each patient’s complaints, type of work, physical activity, history of injury, expectations, and the results of the examination to determine the indicators needed to develop a physiotherapy program. Together, we discuss the results of the examination, solutions to the problem, make detailed recommendations, and develop a personalized physiotherapy program to help achieve the goals.

Developing a physiotherapy program

During the sessions, the physiotherapist individually selects exercises according to the patient’s current condition and progress. Therapeutic exercises prescribed during individual sessions require close supervision by a specialist. After the examination, we also create a program of physical therapy exercises you can do at home. It is prepared individually for you to work on at home, but we will give you a detailed introduction to each exercise and train you to perform them safely on your own.

It is important to us that every one of you benefits from the exercise program independently, so we endeavour to be available for you if you have any questions and have made it possible to keep a virtual diary of the days and exercises you did that day, so that both you and the specialist can keep track of how you are doing on your own. The system we use not only allows you to have descriptions and pictures of the exercises when you receive the exercise program, but also to see them in video format to ensure that the program is informative.

Depending on each individual situation, we update the program as often as possible to achieve more effective results and to add new exercises. After a second consultation or a re-examination (after approximately 3-6 months), we recommend that the program is renewed (it is possible to renew it more frequently depending on the situation).

A physiotherapy program can consist of:

• Exercises to develop muscular strength, endurance, or intermuscular coordination.
• Exercises to develop dynamic and static balance.
• Stretching and mobility exercises.
• Modifications to existing exercise techniques.
• Exercises for the treatment of foot pain, deformities or other pathologies.

What to expect during the sessions?

Physiotherapy sessions are conducted individually with a physiotherapist. The specialist focuses exclusively on your situation. Sessions take place in individual or group physical therapy rooms (when there are no group sessions), so the specialist works with you personally. The duration of an individual session is 60 minutes.

Sessions include a range of flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, balance and coordination, as well as functional exercises, depending on individual needs. Most often, individual sessions include exercises that require greater care by the specialist. A separate program consisting of safer versions of the exercises is prepared for the patient to use at home.

During the sessions we use equipment such as: resistance bands \ dumbbells \ weights \ gymnastic balls \ unstable platforms \ functional belts \ various self-massage tools \ rollers \ balls \ BlackBoard system.

During the sessions, we explain the benefits of each exercise for the body, which muscle groups should be activated or relaxed, we teach how to feel the body during different movements using the mind-muscle connection technique, which allows the patient to achieve the best results in terms of muscle activation and strengthening. In addition, if necessary, the physiotherapists apply massage elements, electrostimulation, and ultrasound therapy during individual sessions.

*During the sessions, with the client’s consent, the posture can be photographed periodically in order to monitor the progress and evaluate the results achieved. 

What is a follow-up assessment?

A follow-up assessment is an opportunity for the patient to compare the results of the previous and current tests together with the specialist, to monitor progress, and to manage the course of treatment by adjusting treatment methods. Follow-up examinations are recommended for patients receiving both physiotherapy and orthopedic (plantography examination) services at our centre. These examinations help detecting changes that have occurred allowing the specialist to objectively assess the patient’s current condition and make the necessary adjustments to the treatment program, thus ensuring a purposeful course of treatment.

*The period of time, after which a follow-up assessment is recommended, is determined individually for each client.