It was an event of treasure hunt and the two friends who jointly participated in it were anxious to win. “My left leg was tied to the right leg of my friend at the knee and we both had to run together hunting for the hidden treasure. We had lot of fun and we even won but in the bargain my knee got hurt due to overexertion. The pain persisted weeks after. I was not able to fold my knee though my MRI was normal. The doctors I consulted couldn’t offer any relief. I was asked to pop pain killers every now and then which worked for a brief time but the pain kept returning,” recalls Rakib Sarmadi, a 21-year-youth from Curchorem who suffered for two years with excruciating pain in his left knee.
Then a friend, Vishal Valaulikar suggested to try physiotherapy. Sharing his own experience with physiotherapy, Vishal briefed that after meeting with an accident his leg was fractured at three places. However after seriously continuing physiotherapy exercises for a year-and-a-half he was able to walk without support and without any pain. Rakib decided to give it a try. To his surprise he began to experience relief within three sessions of specialised physiotherapy treatment. Currently he travels from Curchorem to Ponda for his physiotherapy sessions and is happy with his progress.
“We have many such patients, who come to us with chronic pain. After undergoing a 10-12 day course at our clinic, the patients are advised to continue the exercises at home for a stipulated time period. Those who show consistency, recover cent percent,” claims Lorraine Saldanha, Head physiotherapist at Physioedge Physiotherapy Clinic at Warkhande in Ponda.
“Physiotherapy is mistaken for being only electrotherapy or machine based treatment in society that is partly correct. Although at Physioedge Physiotherapy Clinic sessions are highly personalised to individual needs with exercises in combination with electrotherapy. Our motto is healing through movement. And life is movement!” exclaims Lorraine.
It is actually the regular exercises that are helpful in the elimination of pain. One has to maintain the consistency so that the pain does not recur. We gradually taper the sessions after the initial 10-15 days course,” she explains. Unlike general belief, it is not only those who have accidently injured themselves or undergone trauma who visit to take physiotherapy sessions. Physiotherapy has its application in many types of situations. The clinic has a 90-year-old lady recovering from Parkinson’s problems.
“We have so many sections - each dedicated to a specific part of rehabilitation such as shoulder rehab, hand function, electrotherapy, knee osteoarthritis, even paediatric section and many more,” states Lorraine pointing out to the equipment in her clinic. At one corner a less-than-a-year-old baby was taking physiotherapy with the help of physiotherapist Divya Martins. “She is 11 months old and has a twin sister who is normal. Since birth she has delayed milestones problem and the doctors had revealed this to the parents. It meant she would have no head or trunk control and would not be able to sit independently as she had poor muscle control. But thankfully, physiotherapy has aided her transition from lying down to sitting position and is now even able to walk with support. Though she cannot walk as yet independently but we are working on core strength which will help her to have control on her spine too,” explains Divya.
“This comes under paediatric physiotherapy,” quips Lorraine. The mother of the baby explains the progress of her baby. “We joined in January this year and visit only once a week. In less than five months I have seen lot of improvement in my child,” endorses the mother.
Apart from sports injuries or trauma, physiotherapy is useful in post-operative situations too as it gives strength to the weakened muscles. It reduces work place problems - like tightness in the trapezius muscles, low back pain, cervical issues, carpal tunnel syndrome or tarsal tunnel, plantar fasciitis metatarsi, post-operative problems, weakness in the muscles, knee - post TKR, post ligament surgery, post laminectomy, arthroscopy and even neurological conditions like stroke. Problems like Bell’s Palsy and TMJ disorder are also cured.
Physiotherapy is crucial in rehabilitation after injury, trauma, illness or surgery if followed religiously. It helps a person to return to his normal life.
Though there is demand for physiotherapy, there was no facility of learning it in Goa in 2004 “I went to Mangalore, to Fr Muller Medical College to complete my four-and-a-half-year course with six months internship and passed BPT (Bachelor of physiotherapy) in 2008,” shares Lorraine who worked with Sancheti Hospital in Pune and then joined Vintage Hospital in Panaji. She also is associated at Keshav Seva Sadhana’s school for special children at Bicholim.
Having done a specialised course in prenatal and postnatal physiotherapy, Lorraine is anxious to spread the message about exercises during and after pregnancy. “The set of exercises begin from 14th week of pregnancy under my supervision. Once learnt, they can be done at home. I have also done a specialized physiotherapy course for easy and normal delivery. Practicing what she preaches, herself in late stage of pregnancy, Lorraine has not stopped working at her clinic.
Physioedge also provides specialised upper limb exercise with medicine balls and dumbbells as well as hand exercises and motor functions enhancement. Gait training to improve the ability to walk and balance is also offered here. Tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, slip disc are treated. She received training in shoulder rehabilitation from one of the best shoulder surgeons in India, Dr Ashish Babhulkar who organises PSRP course (Pune Shoulder Rehab Programme).
