[Physical therapy in rheumatic diseases]

Abstract

For the physiotherapy of rheumatic diseases principles of order are recommended. The aims of physiotherapy (allevition of pain, improvement of mobility, inhibition of inflammation), dosages of physiotherapy (intensity of treatment, time of treatment, region of treatment), quantification of pain and reaction to treatment are in the foreground in these cases. With regard to an appropriate choice of methods these principles of order are explained at the instance of the rheumatoid arthritis and the ankylosing spondylitis. Concerning the rheumatism of the soft tissues a classification of the therapy according to localisation and course of the disease (acute, recurrent, chronic) is explained.