Physiotherapy words in plain language
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation words explained in plain language, so families in Kedah can understand what a physiotherapist means.
Domiciliary physiotherapy, in plain wordsGait, the way a person walksGait training, relearning to walkContracture, a joint gone stiffSpasticity, muscle tightness after strokeMuscle tone, the resting tensionActivities of daily living, or ADLsNeuroplasticity, the brain relearningTransfer, moving safely between seatsRange of motion, how far a joint movesPassive exercise, when we move the limbActive exercise, moving on your ownBalance training, steadying the bodyMobility aid, a device that helps you moveWalking frame, a support to walk withQuad stick, a stick with four feetHemiplegia, weakness on one sideHemiparesis, partial weakness one sideFoot drop, trouble lifting the footMuscle wasting, muscles shrinking from disusePressure sore, a wound from lying stillDeconditioning, losing strength after restProprioception, the body's sense of positionOedema, swelling from fluidPhysiotherapy assessment, the first checkRehabilitation, regaining lost functionHome exercise programme, practice between visitsWeight bearing, putting weight through a limbSit to stand, rising from a chairBed mobility, moving safely in bedPositioning, placing the body with careGait belt, a belt to steady someoneManual therapy, hands on treatmentJoint mobilisation, freeing a stiff jointStretching, lengthening tight musclesStrengthening exercise, building muscle strengthEndurance training, building staminaCoordination, smooth control of movementDual tasking, doing two things at onceGait speed, how fast someone walksWhat a stroke isWhat an ischaemic stroke isWhat a haemorrhagic stroke isWhat a mini stroke isWhat Parkinson's disease isWhat a frozen shoulder isWhat sciatica isWhat a slipped disc isWhat osteoarthritis isWhat osteoporosis isWhat a fracture isWhat a knee replacement isWhat a hip replacement isWhat a ligament isWhat a tendon isWhat plantar fasciitis isWhat BPPV vertigo isWhat sarcopenia isWhat a spinal cord injury isWhat cerebral palsy isDementia and mobilityWhat a diabetic foot isAmputation and prosthetic gaitWhat lymphoedema isWhat an ankle foot orthosis isWhat TENS therapy isWhat ultrasound therapy isWhat soft tissue meansWhat a wheelchair is forWhat a commode isWhat a hospital bed isWhat a pressure mattress isWhat a splint isWhat functional training isWhat a fall meansWhat a near fall isWhat step length meansWhat a walking stick doesWhat a muscle strain isWhat tendonitis isScoliosis, a sideways curve of the spineKyphosis, a rounded upper backCore stability, a strong trunkPosture correction, retraining how you sitHeat therapy, warmth to ease musclesCold therapy, cold to reduce swellingElectrical stimulation, mild pulses for musclesTaping, supportive tape for a jointCrutches, arm supports for walkingRollator, a wheeled frame with a seatNon weight bearing, keeping weight offPartial weight bearing, only some weightIsometric exercise, tighten without movingActive assisted exercise, moving with helpRigidity, stiffness in the musclesBradykinesia, slowed movementAtaxia, unsteady and uncoordinated movementNumbness, loss of feeling in a partReferred pain, felt away from its sourceChronic pain, pain that lasts a long timeEnergy conservation, saving your strengthBreathing exercise, for the lungs and chestPostural drainage, positioning to clear the chestPacing, spreading activity through the day
Talk it through with us
Tell us the situation on WhatsApp and we will explain the next step, and you decide from there.