General Physiotherapy Informed Consent

Introduction

This documentation has been prepared in accordance with the provisions contained in the General Health Law (14/1986, of April 25) and Law 41/2002, of November 14, the latter regulating the rights and obligations regarding information and clinical documentation.

General Concept of Physiotherapy

Treatment of the person to evaluate, prevent, correct, relieve and limit or reduce physical disability, movement disorders, functionality and posture, as well as pain, derived from congenital disorders and aging conditions, injury or disease (damage or surgical procedure). The main purpose of Physiotherapy is to restore lost or deteriorated physical functions.

It uses as treatment physical agents and means such as electricity, movement, massage or manipulation of tissues and joints, water, light, heat, cold, etc., and depending on the agent used, it is called:

• Kinesiotherapy: Set of therapeutic procedures whose purpose is the treatment of diseases through movement: active, passive or communicated through some external means.
• Massage / Massotherapy: Manipulations on a part or totality of the organism, with the purpose of mobilizing tissues to provoke direct or reflex therapeutic effects.
• Manual therapies and procedures: Location and treatment of locomotor system disorders through soft tissue techniques. Includes kinesiotherapy, massotherapy and derivatives.
• Hydrotherapy: Therapeutic use of water for its physical properties, mainly for its mechanical and thermal effects.
• Mechanotherapy: Therapeutic and hygienic use of mechanical devices designed to provoke and direct body movements regulated in force, trajectory and amplitude.
• Electrotherapy: Treatment through electricity or electromagnetic radiation to improve tissues, relieve pain and help motor recovery.
• Complementary or Alternative Therapies: Procedures that seek to regulate or enhance the body's natural balance with a biological approach (for example, Acupuncture and Reflexology).

Risks

Physiotherapy has very few risks; the greatest dangers are its incorrect indication and poor execution. It must be applied by qualified professionals. During treatments, the following may appear:

• Pain: possible muscle pain in the first treatments.
• Dizziness: temporary dizziness or nausea, relatively rare.
• Fracture/joint injury: risk in cases of underlying pathologies or defects (e.g., osteoporosis), so we act with caution.

General Contraindications

Absolute

• Malignant tumors.
• Decompensated heart disease, active endocarditis, blood diseases, tuberculosis (active kinesiotherapy).
• Decompensated chronic bronchitis.
• Active thrombosis or hemorrhages.
• Pacemakers and/or intracardiac devices (Electrotherapy).

Relative

• Synovial effusion, hemarthrosis and recent soft tissue wounds (passive kinesiotherapy and thermotherapy).
• Infectious arthritis (hydrotherapy).
• Dermatology: mycosis and pyogenic dermatitis.
• Uncontrolled epileptics and choreic syndromes.
• Any open wound in the area to be treated.
• Arterial hypertension and varicose veins without medical control.
• Patients who may spread infections due to their pathology.
• Acute diseases with fever.
• Febrile states and/or extreme weakness.
• Terminal patients (hydrotherapy and deep thermotherapy).
• Sphincter incontinence (hydrotherapy).
• Skin diseases in sulfate waters (hydrotherapy).
• Internal metal implants (medium and high frequency electrotherapy).
• Sensitivity alterations (electrotherapy, hydrotherapy).
• Abdominal and lumbar applications during menstruation (medium and high frequency electrotherapy).

Treatment Results

Possible benefits: pain reduction, improvement of function and mobility, and reduction of muscle spasm. However, there is no guarantee of results, as healthcare practice is not an exact science.

Depending on the technique, the physiotherapist may indicate removing metal objects (medals, chains, key rings, coins, belts, etc.) or providing protective glasses.

The patient has the right to give prior consent and also to withdraw it at any time before or during the technique.