Active vs. Passive Therapies
In physiotherapy the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions involves a variety of therapies which can be roughly divided into 2 categories: Active and Passive therapies.
In this post, we will discuss the differences between active and passive therapies within physiotherapy and their long-term effectiveness.
Passive Therapies
Passive therapies are those that do not require active participation from the patient. Examples of passive therapies include massage, acupuncture, and joint manipulations. Passive therapies are designed to relieve pain and discomfort and promote relaxation.
Massage is a hands-on technique that involves the manipulation of soft tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Massage can help to reduce muscle tension, improve blood flow, and promote relaxation.
Acupuncture or Dry Needling involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture can also help to temporarily reduce pain and promote relaxation. The exact mechanisms and effectiveness are a topic for another post.
Joint manipulations involve the application of force to a joint to improve its range of motion. Joint manipulations can help to reduce pain and stiffness and improve joint function in the short term.
Passive therapies can be effective in the short term for providing immediate pain relief and improving mobility. However, they do not address the underlying cause of the musculoskeletal condition and do not promote long-term healing. Therefore, passive therapies should not be solely relied upon in the management of injuries and pain.
Active Therapies
Active therapies are those that require active participation from the patient. Examples of active therapies include exercise and lifestyle modifications. Active therapies are designed to improve strength, flexibility, and overall physical function.
Exercise is an essential component of physiotherapy for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Exercise can help to improve strength, flexibility, and endurance. It can reduce pain and improve mood. Exercise comes in many forms, such as cardiovascular, stretching, resistance training, sports or high intensity training.
Lifestyle modifications involve making changes to your daily routine. Examples of lifestyle modifications include increasing or decreasing physical activity, changing your diet, getting more sleep, drinking more water, stop smoking, and practicing meditation or mindfulness.
Active therapies are effective in the long term for recovering from injury and making you more robust (preventing future injuries). Active therapies also have really great side effects besides just helping your current injury. They can improve a whole host of health outcomes resulting in greater overall physical function and quality of life.
Summary
Both passive and active therapies play a role in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions within physiotherapy. Passive therapies can provide short-term pain relief but should not be the only treatments you are doing. They can be helpful but I don’t deem them as necessary for ongoing injury management. Active therapies can promote long-term improvements in pain, injury and overall health. Active therapies are a must in rehab. It is important to work with a physiotherapist to determine the best course of treatment for your specific needs.
Thanks for reading.