7 Things We Learned From Physiotherapist Rabbia Aamir

Recovery from an injury, disability or illness is not easy. Physiotherapy might seem more painful than helpful in the beginning, but is necessary to restore maximum movement and functional ability for patients recovering from accidents or traumas. Most people go through some form of physical therapy in their lifetime, but there still isn’t enough awareness or knowledge about it. That’s why we invited Dr. Rabbia Aamir, founder of the Physical Wellness Centre, to Mashion HQ for a Q & A. If your missed the session, here is everything we learnt from her!

1. Physiotherapy Has More Scope Than It Did Before

Physiotherapy is an ambitious field to get into and one might be skeptical about its scope in Pakistan. But Dr. Rabbia is convinced that it’s a growing field. There are a range of options available that one can specialise in, such as women’s health, sports therapy, neurological therapy and paediatric therapy. Each has its own unique purpose and set of responsibilities. “When I started out in 2010, it [physiotherapy] was not a really big field. But it’s fast growing and there are a lot of gaps to be filled,” she said.

2. An M. Phil. In Physiotherapy Is Helpful

If you have chosen to study physiotherapy, you should work towards getting a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT). Once you have completed your DPT, Dr. Rabbia’s advice is going for a Masters of Philosophy in physiotherapy, rather than pursuing a masters degree. An MPhil degree provides advanced research skills and experience. Our expert says, “It has several categories and allows you to choose the one that interests you the most.”

3. How To Reduce Knee Pain

Many people believe that knee pain occurs when the gap in your knew increases. However, Dr. Rabbia says that this pain occurs when the gap in your knee actually reduces! She recommends doing a few exercises to relieve this pain, such as lying on your back and lifting your leg at a 30-degree angle for 10 seconds. This exercise is meant to be done 8-10 times, with an alternate leg each time. Another exercise is to lie down and stretch your toes in an upright position. This is essentially a calf stretch and needs to be held for 5 seconds.

4. The Relationship Between Bad Posture And Spinal Pain

Chiropractic services focus on the prevention, diagnosis and conservative care of spine-related disorders and other painful joint issues. While you should consult a physician regarding such pain, you should also become more conscious of your posture. Dr. Rabbia emphasises on this, saying, “To improve your posture, it’s necessary for you to become conscious of your posture and train your postural muscles.” Various exercises, such as those that target the upper back muscles, can help achieve this.

5. Neck Stretches Help Relieve Cervical Pain

Cervical pain usually becomes common as one gets older. It affects the joints and discs in the cervical spine. This pain develops from the wear and tear of cartilage and bone. However, stretching the neck can help alleviate the pain. Dr. Rabbia advises sitting upright, with one hand behind your back and the other on the side of your head while you stretch your neck in the alternate direction. Hold this position for a few seconds and then switch to the other side. This stretch should be done 8-10 times.

6. Cold Air Causes Muscles To Tighten

Ever wonder why your muscles start to ache after you’ve been in the cold for too long? Dr. Rabbia tells us that it’s because cold air creates tightness and stiffness in your body, due to vasoconstriction. This is why your fingers move extremely slow when you try to type in low temperatures. Similarly, when it’s cold, your back muscles receive less blood and become stiff, placing extra strain on the back.

7. Every Injury Is Different

People often assume that just because the illness or injury is the same, the treatment will be the same as well. But Dr. Rabbia clarifies that our muscles are incredibly sensitive and precarious and every injury on every patient is different. In an injury, such as a lumbar bone displacement, your disc is displaced from its original position. “Every dislocation, however, is different and consequently, every treatment is different too,” she said. It’s always advised to get thoroughly checked by a physician.