Rehabilitation: what is it for? Types and methods

Rehabilitation is a complex process aimed at improving the overall condition of the individual, minimizing health deficits and reintegrating the patient into work and everyday life.

The components of rehabilitation, methods, personnel, patient's entitlement to free rehabilitation and many other interesting information can be found in the article.

What is rehabilitation and the rehabilitation process?

Rehabilitation is an interrelated, goal-oriented process. Its main goal is to minimize the negative consequences of disability - whether acute or chronic.

The main pillar of the rehabilitation process is medical rehabilitation, but the components of occupational, social or educational rehabilitation are also very important.

The complexity of the rehabilitation process is determined by the physical, mental (psychological) and socio-occupational care of the individual.

Different types of rehabilitation:

1. Therapeutic rehabilitation
2. Occupational rehabilitation
3. Social rehabilitation
4. Educational rehabilitation

Therapeutic rehabilitation

Physiotherapy, balneology and medical rehabilitation are among the basic medical disciplines focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of health disorders. Their aim is to restore mental and physical health.

Through their sub-disciplines, they deal with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research of health disorders with the aim of restoring and preserving as far as possible the physical, mental and social functions of the patient.

Medical rehabilitation is a set of diagnostic, therapeutic and educational measures aimed at maximizing the patient's health.

Physiotherapy is an essential part of medical rehabilitation.

Physiotherapy is a medical discipline that deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the human musculoskeletal system. It primarily uses therapeutic physical education, manual techniques, methods and physical therapy.

Physiotherapy methods in medical rehabilitation:

• Therapeutic physical education (active and passive kinesiotherapy)
• Therapeutic techniques (soft, mobilization and manipulative techniques)
• Complex methods and concepts (Moses method, SM system, Klappa climbing, Brugger concept, etc.)
• Neuromuscular-based methodologies(Vojt method, DNS dynamic neuromuscular stabilization, McKenzie method, SMS sensorimotor stimulation, PNF proprio neuromuscular facilitation, etc.)
• Physical therapy (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, hydrotherapy, mechanotherapy, phototherapy and thermotherapy)

Medical rehabilitation is provided in various public and private health care facilities: hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, rehabilitation institute, spa, sanatorium and others.

In some cases, medical rehabilitation is provided externally in the patient's home environment.

Medical rehabilitation and physiotherapy are carried out by physiotherapists, trained rehabilitation workers and nurses with advanced training.

Rehabilitation and physiotherapy is provided to patients with a wide range of diagnoses in physiatry, orthopaedics, neurology, surgery, pulmonology, gynaecology, urology and other disciplines.

It is performed wherever there is a need to improve and maintain the function of the musculoskeletal system, fitness and general condition of the individual.

General objectives of medical rehabilitation and physiotherapy:

• Increase muscle strength and overall fitness
• Improvement of gross and fine motor skills
• Improvement of stability and coordination
• Restore self-sufficiency and independence
• Elimination of pain
• Improvement of movement stereotypes, ergonomics of movement
• Improvement of psychological state and mood

Occupational rehabilitation

The occupational component of the rehabilitation complex is an activity aimed at restoring and improving impaired working abilities as a result of an injury (illness).

Occupational therapy is professionally called occupational therapy. It is a meaningful activity (work) that the patient performs to improve a given movement skill.

Occupational therapy leads to an improvement in the physical and mental state and leads the patient to self-sufficiency (independence).

Specific occupational therapy also focuses on the exact job skills the patient will need when returning to their original or new job.

Muscle strength, fitness, fine and gross motor skills and overall dexterity of the individual are increased.

Occupational therapy also involves testing and assessing the patient's self-sufficiency status in terms of activities of daily living such as eating, cooking, shopping, personal hygiene, using the toilet, transferring from bed, etc.

Occupational therapy also meaningfully fills in the time the patient spends during any long-term hospitalisation.

Examples are the various workshops in rehabilitation facilities (woodwork, art workshop, sewing). The individual is entertained and at the same time supports the treatment by improving the motor skills of the musculoskeletal system.

A sheltered workshop, on the other hand, is a specific facility that is used for occupational, social and educational rehabilitation. Individuals with an altered working capacity can work in a sheltered workshop.

Occupational rehabilitation is mainly carried out by an occupational therapist, physiotherapist or rehabilitation worker, possibly in cooperation with a social worker.

Social rehabilitation

The social component of the rehabilitation process is an activity aimed at promoting the patient's independence, self-sufficiency and maximum integration into society.

The aim is to ensure a dignified and valuable life with maximum possible independence from others and adaptation to work and everyday life.

Social rehabilitation is closely related to occupational therapy, which is a process whereby a person with a long-term disability receives training in the skills needed to achieve set goals of self-sufficiency (with regard to disability).

The content of social rehabilitation is training in mobility, locomotion, self-sufficiency, communication and social adaptation.

Specialised components include outreach social services and an integration centre. It provides care and helps to adapt specific housing.

Social rehabilitation is provided in a variety of settings: in a facility for the elderly, in a social services home, in a day care centre or in other specialised social facilities.

Social rehabilitation is carried out by a trained social worker. The social worker is the implementer of social work tasks. He or she helps the person to create a balance between his or her possibilities, needs and requirements in terms of the social environment.

Educational rehabilitation

The last component of the rehabilitation process is educational rehabilitation. It is closely related to the other components of rehabilitation.

It is a set of professional pedagogical activities and procedures with the aim of developing the personality and education of persons with disabilities.

An example is the education of a patient with cardiovascular disease about risk factors, lifestyle, prevention and avoiding the deterioration of the disease.

For patients with musculoskeletal disorders, an example would be a movement education programme on self-sufficiency, movement ergonomics and healthy movement to prevent recurrence of the disease.

Educational rehabilitation takes many shapes and forms. One of these is vocational educational activity aimed at socialising the individual. It focuses on education, training and preparation for a self-sufficient life.

It is mainly carried out by achieving positive changes in the upbringing and education of the individual. Special educational and re-educational methods are applied.

Rehabilitation staff

The rehabilitation process is carried out by a multidisciplinary team of workers. In order to best achieve the stated goal of therapy, the interconnection and cooperation of various medical and humanities disciplines is essential.

• Attending physicians (rehabilitation physician, neurologist, orthopaedic surgeon...)
• Physiotherapist
• Occupational therapist
• Nurse
• Social worker

A physiotherapist deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in order to minimize health deficits and improve overall health.

An occupational therapist is concerned with restoring/improving motor function and skills to perform activities of daily living and work activities.

A social worker is concerned with helping individuals, groups or communities with adaptation, self-sufficiency and social integration.