Rehabilitation therapies for chronic diseases:
The modern medical model pays attention to the psychological and social factors of human beings, and changes from the biomedical model to the biological, psychological and social medical model, which improves the status of social factors, disease prevention and rehabilitation.
The so-called rehabilitation refers to the ultimate goal of people’s complete recovery, that is, to restore the ability of daily living and return to society. And rehabilitation therapy is called “the third medicine”.
Rehabilitation therapy mainly includes the following aspects:
- Various physiotherapy: including electrotherapy and phototherapy. For local or systemic dysfunction or lesions of the human body, non-invasive and non drug treatment is used to restore the original physiological function of the body.
- Occupational therapy: including basic daily life movements of clothing, food, housing and transportation, professional labor movements and other training, the purpose is to gradually adapt patients to the needs of personal life, family life and social life.
- Medical Sports: it is one of the main methods of rehabilitation medicine. Such as running, Tai Chi, etc.
- Language training: conduct language training for aphasia patients to restore their speaking ability as much as possible.
- Psychological rehabilitation: study the psychological and intellectual status of patients, and use psychotherapy to make patients recover as soon as possible in terms of function and spirit.
The importance of rehabilitation therapies
The importance of rehabilitation therapies for chronic diseases lies in several aspects. Firstly, it helps patients reduce or delay the disabling effects of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. By providing self-management strategies and necessary assistive devices, or by alleviating pain and other complications, rehabilitation therapy contributes to healthy aging. Secondly, it can decrease the impact of various health issues, whether they are acute or chronic, and when combined with other medical and surgical interventions, it can achieve the best treatment outcomes.
Rehabilitation therapy is defined as a set of interventions aimed at optimizing individual function and reducing disability in the interaction with health conditions. In simple terms, it helps people of all ages to perform daily activities as independently as possible and participate in meaningful life roles such as education, work, leisure, and family care. This includes working with patients and their families to address health issues, adapting environments to meet their needs, using assistive products, and educating them to enhance self-management. These strategies help individuals overcome difficulties in thinking, vision, hearing, communication, eating, or movement.
Rehabilitation therapy is crucial for everyone, as everyone may encounter health issues at some point in their lives, and health status tends to decline with age. While rehabilitation therapy is often not curative, it can enhance a person’s abilities, which itself may also promote health and prevent deterioration.
From an economic perspective, rehabilitation therapy is a cost-effective investment. It shortens hospital stays, reduces the risk of re-admission, and lowers the risk of secondary complications due to health problems. By improving an individual’s ability to engage in daily life, rehabilitation therapy reduces the costs of ongoing care and support and speeds up the return to education or work. Additionally, it decreases the need for other health and social care services, such as home care programs to prevent falls in the elderly or occupational therapy.
Treatment methods in the United States
- Physical Therapy (PT): This involves exercises and techniques to improve mobility, reduce pain, and restore function. Advanced PT methods include neuromuscular re-education, joint mobilization, and electrotherapy.
- Occupational Therapy (OT): Focuses on helping patients regain the ability to perform daily activities. OT uses adaptive equipment and techniques to improve hand function, cognitive skills, and overall independence.
- Speech Therapy: Particularly relevant for chronic diseases affecting speech and swallowing, such as Parkinson’s disease or stroke. Therapies include exercises to improve vocal strength, clarity, and swallowing abilities.
- Aquatic Therapy: Utilizes water’s properties to provide resistance and support, reducing stress on joints and muscles. It’s beneficial for patients with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other mobility-limiting conditions.
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Often used for chronic pain management and mental health issues associated with chronic diseases. CBT helps patients manage stress, anxiety, and depression, which can exacerbate physical symptoms.
- Telerehabilitation: With advancements in technology, many rehabilitation therapies can be conducted remotely via video conferencing. This is particularly useful during times of pandemic or for patients who have difficulty traveling to appointments.
- Integrative Therapies: Including acupuncture, massage therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction, which are increasingly being used alongside traditional therapies to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
- Prosthetics and Orthotics: Advanced technologies in prosthetics and orthotics are helping patients with limb loss or dysfunction due to chronic diseases like diabetes. These include bionic limbs and smart orthotics that can be controlled by thought or adjusted automatically.
- Nutritional Counseling: Tailored diets are crucial for managing chronic diseases. Nutritionists work with patients to develop meal plans that address specific health needs, such as managing blood sugar levels or reducing inflammation.
- Palliative Care: Focused on improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. Palliative care teams provide support for physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, often working in conjunction with rehabilitation therapies.
