PhysioQinesis offers a holistic solution to all your physiotherapy needs

Dr Shwetha Rao Warke, a physiotherapist with 20 years of experience and the founder of PhysioQinesis and PhysioQinesis Performance Lab, Thane’s first and largest holistic Physiotherapy and Sports Performance centre, answers a few questions on World Physiotherapy Day.

The increasing population of health-conscious individuals aware of the benefits of physiotherapy is truly encouraging. Physiotherapy has evolved into specialisations, like Spine, Sports, Cardio-respiratory, Women’s health, especially pelvic floor rehab, Neuro, paediatric, musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and more.

Can you tell us about World Physiotherapy Day and its theme this year?
This year’s theme is arthritis, which entails various forms of inflammatory arthritis and how physiotherapy can help manage this condition. Arthritis is defined as an acute or chronic inflammation of the joints. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, stiffness, and redness, reducing function and dexterity. It is presumed that arthritis affects only the elderly, but it can affect people of all ages and levels of physical fitness. Some forms of arthritis can also affect children and young adults. Post Covid-19, we are seeing an increase in post-viral arthritis.

When is the right time to visit a physiotherapist for arthritis?
It’s never too early or too late to see a physiotherapist. For people with arthritis in the acute stage or those who have inflammatory arthritis like Rheumatoid arthritis, there are acute exacerbations and periods of remission. The symptoms vary from pain and swelling to stiffness and reduced mobility and strength in chronic cases. These symptoms may mean different to every individual. Physiotherapists can help you in all stages of your journey with arthritis. In the acute stage, we help you with pain relief techniques and joint protection strategies; in the subacute stage, we help you gain mobility and strength and slowly get back to your lifestyle.

What are the challenges faced by you?
One of the main challenges I have faced while treating people with arthritis is that fear sets in, and slowly, they start limiting their lifestyle and reducing their activities in anticipation of pain. It is important to know that you can get back to activity with proper graded exercise. For instance, at 60, if you would like to go on a trek, it is possible under the guidance of an experienced physiotherapist. If you wish to live a relatively active lifestyle throughout your lifespan, it is essential to keep actively moving through all stages of arthritis. Arthritis managed by an interdisciplinary team will help you live a more efficient and fulfilling lifestyle.

What are the recent advanced technologies in physiotherapy?
Technology is advancing every day, and adopting advanced technology helps provide better assessment and treatment skills. At PhysioQinesis, we adopt a holistic patient management approach. We analyse your walking and running with four high-speed cameras. We know if you have a pattern of walking, that can cause loss of balance and improper load on certain joints and muscles, which can predict and prevent the worsening of your pain. Identifying these deviations and educating our patients helps them to work on a more efficient way of walking or jogging. We also have the plantar pressure measuring system. This pressure sensor mat detects the pressure on your foot while you stand and walk. With this information, we can predict the consequences of the pressures on your joints. The same tools can be used for therapy as well.

Can you tell us more about holistic patient management?
In the past, I would have patients come to us and tell us they did some physiotherapy sessions, but the pain returned. I decided to change this. For example, a lady in her early 50s came to us for knee pain and was diagnosed with early arthritis. Applying a holistic approach involving the doctor, physiotherapist, sports and deep tissue massage therapist, and strength and conditioning coaches, she was pain-free and got back to her passion, trekking. This approach has helped many patients get rid of or easily manage their problems. They are educated and are fitter and healthier. The benefit is that this approach also helps patients understand that they can do more. We invite you to come and experience services at our centre in Thane. You need not come to us with pain. We can also help you prevent and optimise your fitness and wellness scientifically. We want you to go from pain to performance.

What message would you like to give to all Thanekars?
We are lucky to be in Thane, a place with beautiful lakes and majestic hills. There are roads with varied gradients to enjoy a stroll or a run. Even many upcoming societies have walking tracks and well-equipped gyms. I encourage you to step out and take a stroll more often.

Technology is at our fingertips. Everyone is glued to gadgets, from a toddler to a senior citizen. It is always easy to look for solutions online, which are free but sometimes can be harmful. Getting yourself educated in the right way by an experienced physiotherapist should be a priority. Nutrition and hydration, your mental and emotional well-being and overall health, quality of sleep, rest, and recovery also significantly impact your living pain-free.

Address: S-12, 1st Floor Shopee, Dosti Imperia, Ghodbunder Road, opposite R Mall, Thane (W), 400607
Mobile: 9029089896 | Website: www.physioqinesis.com | Facebook id: PhysioQinesis

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