05/05/2021
Some info about PHYSIOTHERAPY..!
So what do Physiotherapists do during covid-19?
Let me simplify it with my typical workday(covid wards).
For the mechanically ventilated (concious/unconscious) covid patients in ICU, we basically help protect & keep your airways clear (prevent sputum/respiratory secretions buildup) to ultimately wean you off the ventilator. We use a variety of specialized techniques, skills & methods like percussions, vibrations, postural drainage & suctioning (inserting a thin tube down your throat into the lungs to suck out the access sputum/secretions).
We assist with proning (turning these ventilated patients onto their stomachs) to assist with oxygenation.
We help maintain the integrity of your musculoskeletal system (joints & muscles), basically keeping your body moving ('mobile') when you can't do it yourself. We also have a wide range of techniques & skills we use for that like passive/active assisted movements & muscle facilitation techniques.
For those covid patients NOT on ventilators but in High Care units, we still help protect & keep your airway clear by preventing sputum/secretion buildup, help you expel access sputum/secretions(i.e coughing), improve your breathing (breathing pattern) & keep you moving. We use various techniques, instruments and exercises to achieve that goal like positive expiratory pressure "blow-bottles", incentive spirometers, proning, postural drainage, breathing exercises and mobilization.
Yes, think about it....physiotherapists are the ones during a worldwide pandemic of a respiratory illness that is spread through aerosol droplets that will be there teaching & encouraging you to breathe and cough....to help you...
Some patients are not in ICU or High Care but in special isolation wards, still requiring rehabilitation after various operations and procedures. A physiotherapist will still be there to help.
Doctors save lives, physiotherapists(rehabilitation team) make it worth living.
(the top orthopaedic surgeon can can perform a flawless total hip replacement on you, but it means nothing if you can't fully utilize (full function or walk) with that hip.
Despite our own co-morbidities and medical history, some physiotherapists will spend a bit more time with you (whilst doing your rehabilitation), to calm your anxiety and fears of being isolated and alone, not being able to see your family, treated like a 'hot-potato' where no one really wants to hang around your room long enough for you to ask what time it is, will help you video call your family, help you walk to the window to have a look at the world outside or keep you up to date with the latest news.
Physiotherapists are not the 'rockstars' of the hospital, but they sure do keep things moving.
I don't think heroes have superpowers or wear capes & speedos over their tights...some just wear PPE.
In a nutshell, that's what we are up to lately.
By Thobani Lubisi
