Massages and Baths

Physical Therapy

Physical therapies are usually used in addition to active physiotherapy by masseurs, physiotherapists, or medical lifeguards. The aim of physical therapy is to relieve pain, promote blood circulation, and improve the mobility and flexibility of each individual patient.

At Kliniken Schmieder, the therapists use a wide range of sensations and techniques that are individually suited to the patient’s state of health to enhance the healing and rehabilitation process. These include physical influences such as applying pressure, pulling, heat, cold or electrical stimulation, which affects the body.

Depending on the patient’s condition and goals, a specific physical therapy treatment is made from proven therapy applications such as massages, treatments with electrical stimulation or ultrasound, baths, and heat or cold packs to create personalized therapy sessions. Physical therapy can play a vital role and be a successful rehabilitation measure in helping each individual patient achieve a better quality of life. The following physical therapies are used at Kliniken Schmieder:

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy manually manipulates soft tissues, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It is a common form of physical therapy used to reduce pain, tension, and stiffness in the body.

The masseur’s stretching, pulling, and pressure stimuli during a massage influence the patient’s skin, connective tissue, and muscles. This increases local blood flow, improving healing and relieving pain. The massage has a selective effect and influences the entire organism of the person being treated in a calming and relaxing way.

In many neurological disorders, muscle tension, whether through spasticity or pain, is a common sequela. The therapists at Kliniken Schmieder have found that massage therapy improves muscle tone, reduces muscle spasticity, and increases the range of motion for individuals with these conditions.

Here are some forms of massage:

Classic massage
Connective tissue massage
Colon massage
Brush massage
Foot reflexology

Electrotherapy

Electrotherapy is a form of physical therapy involving weak electrical stimulation to treat muscle weakness and loss of function. After electrodes (electrical contacts) are placed on the skin, a weak current is passed through the body, stimulating muscle activity, promoting blood circulation, influencing nerves, alleviating neurological pain, stimulating the metabolic process, and strengthening the body’s defenses.

The electrical current stimulates the muscles and causes them to contract, which helps to build strength and improve function. It can be used for a wide range of neurological conditions, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury.

Here are some forms of electrotherapy:

Ultrasound therapy
TENS
Current Stimulation
Microwave therapy
Iontophoresis therapy

Thermotherapy

Thermotherapy uses either heat or cold to treat muscle pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Patients can experience relief from muscle tension and pain through this temperature alteration.

Heat Therapy

The most common form of thermotherapy is using heat packs, which can be applied to specific body areas. Heat therapy can also be delivered through ultrasound, which uses high-frequency sound waves to generate heat within the body. Heat therapy is primarily used to increase blood circulation, relieve pain, and boost metabolism. The heat has a muscle-relaxing, soothing effect and increases the elasticity of connective tissue structures.

Cold Therapy

Cold therapy, on the other hand, affects muscle tension and lowers the pain threshold. Cold is usually applied in the form of cold air, cold packs, or ice packs and ensures that the activity of nerves and pain receptors is reduced. This leads to significant and long-term pain relief for the patient.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is a form of physical therapy in which the element of water is used methodically for therapeutic purposes. The therapy takes place in a pool or other body of water so that the buoyancy of the water makes it easier to move and exercise without putting stress on the joints (hydrostatic pressure). Many movements can, therefore, be carried out more easily and without pain by the patient.

Hydrotherapy can be used to improve the range of motion, build strength, and reduce muscle spasticity. In addition, water can be used as a conduit for heat, soothing the body’s joints and muscular tension (thermal stimulus).

Hydrotherapy can be particularly beneficial for individuals with neurological conditions because it allows for safe and effective exercise that sometimes may be difficult on land, even allowing for strength training. Hydrotherapy is effective for many ailments, including pain, circulatory problems and disorders, sleep disorders, and respiratory conditions.

Effective forms of hydrotherapy include:

Baths
Motion baths
Kneipp affusions

FAQ

What is physical therapy, and how does it differ from physiotherapy?

Physical therapy refers to treatments that use physical means (such as massage, heat/cold, water or electrical stimulation) to relieve pain, improve circulation and support mobility. At Kliniken Schmieder, physical therapy complements physiotherapy by providing these methods as part of your rehabilitation.

Which therapeutic methods are included in physical therapy at Kliniken Schmieder?

Our physical therapy services include:

Massage, to relieve muscle tension and improve blood flow.
Electrotherapy (e.g., TENS, ultrasound) to stimulate muscle and nerve function.
Thermotherapy (heat and cold applications) to reduce pain and muscle stiffness.
Hydrotherapy (water-based treatments) to ease movement and build strength when joints or mobility are impaired.

Who can benefit from physical therapy at Kliniken Schmieder?

Patients with neurological conditions, mobility limitations, chronic pain, post-surgery or post-trauma recovery may benefit. Physical therapy is especially useful when active movement is difficult and needs supportive means to improve function and comfort.

What happens during your physical therapy session?

A typical session at Kliniken Schmieder starts with assessing your pain, mobility and functional limitations. Then the therapist selects suitable methods (massage, electrotherapy, thermotherapy, hydrotherapy) tailored to your condition. You may receive passive treatments (therapist-led) or guided exercises with support from the physical therapy methods.

How long will physical therapy take and how often should I attend?

The number of sessions depends on your diagnosis, recovery goals, health status and overall plan. Physical therapy often works closely with active therapies (like physiotherapy) and may be scheduled multiple times per week initially, then reduced as function improves. Your therapist will review progress and adjust accordingly.

Is physical therapy painful or risky?

Physical therapy aims to relieve discomfort – not increase it. You might feel some tingling or mild sensation (for example, during electrotherapy), but you should not experience sharp or worsening pain. If any treatment feels unsafe or too intense, inform your therapist immediately so that individual treatment adjustments can be made.

How does physical therapy fit into my overall rehabilitation plan?

At Kliniken Schmieder, physical therapy is an integral part of the holistic rehabilitation concept. It supports and enhances active therapies by preparing the body (reducing pain, improving circulation, easing muscle tension) so that you can engage more effectively in movement-based treatments.