Physiotherapy By Dr Tayyaba Fatima

15/04/2026

Sensory techniques.

15/04/2026

14/04/2026

Diastasis Recti Abdominis (DRA) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition observed during pregnancy and the postpartum period, characterized by the separation of the re**us abdominis muscles along the linea alba.

Despite its high incidence, DRA is frequently under-recognized in clinical practice
The integrity of the abdominal wall plays a critical role in load transfer, spinal stability, and functional movement. When this system is compromised—as in DRA—the consequences extend beyond appearance.

Potential Complications of Untreated DRA
-Persistent core weakness
-Chronic low back pain
-Pelvic floor dysfunction (e.g., urinary incontinence, prolapse risk)
-Altered posture and movement biomechanics
-Reduced functional capacity in daily activities
These outcomes underscore the need to redefine DRA as a condition requiring early clinical attention.

Core Components of Physiotherapy Intervention
-Deep core muscle activation (Transversus Abdominis training)
-Pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation
-Postural correction and ergonomic training
-Movement re-education and load management
-Antenatal conditioning and postpartum recovery protocols
-Importantly, antenatal physiotherapy may help mitigate the severity of DRA, while postnatal rehabilitation focuses on restoring function and preventing long-term complications.

The management of DRA should not be isolated to postpartum care alone. Instead, it must be integrated into a continuum of maternal healthcare, beginning in the antenatal phase.

Early screening, patient education, and timely physiotherapy intervention can:
-Prevent progression of muscle separation
-Enhance recovery timelines
-Reduce the burden of secondary complications
I-mprove overall quality of life

Diastasis Recti is not merely a structural alteration—it is a functional impairment with significant clinical relevance.

As healthcare professionals, there is a responsibility to move beyond reactive care and adopt a proactive, multidisciplinary approach, where physiotherapy plays a central role.

Early intervention is not optional—it is essential for optimizing maternal health outcomes.

09/04/2026

Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) is a condition where the shoulder joint becomes painful and stiff due to thickening and tightening of the joint capsule.

🔹 Causes

Often the exact cause is unclear, but common risk factors include:
• Prolonged immobilization (after fracture, surgery, or injury)
• Diabetes mellitus (very common association)
• Thyroid disorders
• Previous shoulder injuries (rotator cuff tear, tendinitis)
• Age (40–60 years) and more common in females
• Post-stroke or neurological conditions

🔹 Stages of Frozen Shoulder
1. Freezing Stage (Painful stage)
• Gradual onset of pain
• Increasing stiffness
2. Frozen Stage (Stiffness stage)
• Pain may reduce
• Severe restriction of movement
3. Thawing Stage (Recovery stage)
• Gradual improvement in ROM

🔹 Symptoms
• Shoulder pain (especially at night 🌙)
• Progressive stiffness
• Reduced Range of Motion (ROM) (especially external rotation & abduction)
• Difficulty with daily activities:
• Combing hair
• Dressing
• Reaching overhead

🔹 Physiotherapy Management

🎯 Goals
• Reduce pain
• Improve mobility (ROM)
• Restore function

🧊 1. Pain Relief (Early Stage)
• Hot packs / Ice therapy
• TENS (pain modulation)
• Gentle pendulum exercises

🤸‍♂️ 2. Mobility Exercises

Start with pain-free range, progress gradually:
• Pendulum exercises (Codman’s)
• Wand exercises (flexion, abduction, external rotation)
• Pulley exercises
• Wall climbing exercises

💪 3. Stretching
• Capsule stretching (especially posterior & inferior capsule)
• Cross-body stretch
• External rotation stretch

👐 4. Manual Therapy
• Joint mobilization (Grades I–IV depending on stage)
• Soft tissue release

🏋️ 5. Strengthening (Later Stage)
• Isometric exercises
• Resistance band exercises
• Scapular stabilization exercises

🧠 6. Patient Education
• Avoid complete rest (can worsen stiffness)
• Maintain regular gentle movement
• Posture correction

07/04/2026

On this World Health Day, remember: movement is medicine.
Physiotherapy by Dr. Tayyaba Fatima—helping you move better, live stronger.”

04/04/2026

Newborn Reflexes Every Physiotherapist & Pediatric Clinician Should Know 👶🧠

Key Primitive Reflexes

1️⃣ Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)

When a baby feels sudden movement or hears a loud sound, the arms first move outward and then come back inward.

✔ Present at birth
✔ Disappears by 4–6 months
✔ Asymmetry may indicate birth injury
✔ Persistence may indicate neurological delay

2️⃣ Rooting Reflex

When the baby’s cheek is touched, the baby turns toward the stimulus to find food.

✔ Helps in breastfeeding
✔ Disappears around 4 months
✔ Important in feeding assessment

3️⃣ Sucking Reflex

When the roof of the mouth is stimulated, the infant starts sucking.

✔ Essential for feeding
✔ Integrates around 4 months
✔ Weak response may indicate prematurity or CNS involvement

4️⃣ Palmar Grasp Reflex

When you place your finger in the baby’s palm, the baby grips it tightly.

✔ Present at birth
✔ Disappears by 5–6 months
✔ Persistence may affect voluntary grasp

5️⃣ Babinski Reflex

When the sole is stroked, the toes fan out.

✔ Normal in infants
✔ Integrates by 12–24 months
✔ Abnormal if present in adults

6️⃣ Stepping Reflex

When held upright with feet touching a surface, the baby makes stepping movements.

✔ Present at birth
✔ Disappears around 2 months
✔ Precursor of walking

7️⃣ Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

When the baby’s head turns to one side, the arm on that side extends while the opposite arm flexes (fencing posture).

✔ Present at birth
✔ Integrates by 5–7 months
✔ Persistence may affect bilateral coordination

8️⃣ Plantar Grasp Reflex

Touching the sole causes the toes to curl.

✔ Present at birth
✔ Integrates by 9–12 months
✔ Persistence may delay standing and walking
Role of Early Physiotherapy Intervention

Early physiotherapy can help through:

✔ Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT)
✔ Sensory motor stimulation
✔ Reflex integration techniques
✔ Parent education
✔ Developmental milestone training
✔ Positioning strategies

29/03/2026

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28/03/2026

Physiotherapy by Dr. Tayyaba Fatima
Expert care for pain relief, rehabilitation, and mobility improvement.
✨ Because you deserve to move without pain.