Mr Austin Bollinger — Photo courtesy of Family Medical Practice Hanoi

By Mr Austin Bollinger *

Physiotherapy is the medical practice of examination and treatment of injuries or disfunction of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Or in more general terms, if you are having pain or dysfunction related of muscles, joints or nerves a physiotherapist can help find the cause and how it can be treated.

Many of us have experienced pain, discomfort or a general feeling that something physically is just not working correctly. Most of the time with a little rest or avoidance of activities or positions that exacerbate the symptoms thing go back to normal and we forget anything was wrong. But, what do we do when the symptoms persist or the event that initiated the symptoms was traumatic and rest just simply won’t do? This is where physiotherapy can help alleviate symptoms, restore function and return normalcy to your physical well being.

Physiotherapy has a broad scope and is suitable for patients of all ages and fitness. Whether your symptoms are the result of a specific incident, repetitive stress or overuse, or related to a disease or disability, physiotherapy has something to offer. A common physiotherapy patient experience should start with an initial evaluation consisting of examination and development of an individualised treatment and exercises plan followed by visits 1-2 times a week for up to 4-6 weeks depending on the individual and the reason for treatment. Follow-up visits should reassess the patient’s condition and the effectiveness of the current treatment plan. Adjustments and progression will be made to the plan as the patient’s condition improves culminating in the patient being discharged with the tools and knowledge to maintain function and avoid recurrence of the issue. 

Physiotherapy couples the expertise of muscles, joints and nerves with posture, body mechanics, functional movement and exercise. Techniques consist of manual tissue or joint mobilisation, re-coordination and education to correct movement patterns and use of various exercises and environments to challenge and remodel areas of the body. Other tools like ultrasound, electrical stimulation or infrared light are also commonly used.

Common issues that physiotherapy can address:

• Back and neck pain
• Shoulder impingement or rotator cuff tendonitis or injury
• Tennis or golfers elbow
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Nerve impingement
• Sciatica
• Upper or lower extremity paresthesia (numbness, tingling, ache, muscle weakness, etc.)
• Disc herniation
• Hip impingement and labral injury
• Various knee injuries
• Plantar fasciitis
• Joint sprains
• Muscle strains
• Post surgical or healed fracture
• Various neurological conditions (parkinsons, MS, etc)
• Pediatric physical developmental delays or deficits 
• Cervical headaches
• Vertigo

If you are curious whether physiotherapy can help you contract Hanoi Family Medical Practice and we would be happy to answer your questions. — Family Medical Practice

*Mr. Austin Bollinger is a physiotherapist with a Masters of Physical Therapy from California State University, Fresno and a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from San Diego State University. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2013 and started his career in outpatient manual orthopedic physical therapy at Folsom Physical Therapy and Training Center. He is skilled in the treatment of musculoskeletal dysfunction and rehabilitation of the spine and both lower and upper extremities, as well as treatment of the neurological system and surgical rehabilitation.  He also has experience working with patients suffering from chronic pain conditions.

For more advice on any medical topics, visit Family Medical Practice Hanoi at: 298 I Kim Mã, Ba Đình. Tel: (024) 3843 0748.  E: hanoi@vietnammedicalpractice.com.

FMP’s downtown Hồ Chí Minh location is: Diamond Plaza, 34 Lê Duẩn, District 1; 95 Thảo Điền Street, District 2. Tel: (028) 38227848. E: hcmc@vietnammedicalpractice.com

FMP Đà Nẵng is located at 96-98 Nguyễn Văn Linh Street, Hải Châu District, Đà Nẵng. Tel: (0236) 3582 699. E: danang@vietnammedicalpractice.com