The orthopaedic and rheumatologic rehabilitation

Rheumatism is a general term for a wide variety of disorders. 

 The therapeutic approach in the treatment of degenerative and inflammatory rheumatic diseases is totally different. This is, however, a more recent development. Concerning “rheumatism cures” we think first of spa resorts with iodic or sulphurous thermal water or the classic moor spas, which are still prevailing today regarding the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases along with pharmaceutical therapies.
 
The orthopaedic-rheumatic therapy principle applied in the treatment of the far more frequent degenerative rheumatic forms, which concern the patients at Höchenschwand, is different. Generally, it is not necessary to use medicaments. Nevertheless, the treatment makes use of the curative and soothing effects of the said balneological applications. Yet, the physical therapy constitutes the centrepiece of the therapy combined with exercise and training (see “Therapeutic exercise”, Dr. Eifler).
 
 
What can Höchenschwand offer the patient suffering from rheumatism?
The rheumatic disorders treated at Höchenschwand are due to false use and overuse. This leads to a premature “wear and tear” and degeneration, which in turn may cause irritations and secondary inflammations. These result in dysfunctions and pain, which eventually provoke disability, impeding personal, private, professional and social self-fulfilment. Thus the quality of life is seriously diminished. Then it is urgent to take measures to eliminate the dysfunctions and to allow a reintegration into social life.

The patient himself can best enounce the objectives of rehabilitation:
He desires the relief of pain, the removal of disability and the regain of mobility. This requires a thorough diagnosis and the assessment of the physical abilities.
 
Any successful treatment requires to be preceded by an exact diagnosis and the assessment of physical abilities. This helps finding the appropriate therapy approach. The therapy consists of a series of treatments adapted to the disease. The success of all medical endeavours depends on two conditions: the existing residual resilience and in particular the absolutely necessary readiness of the patient to participate actively in the therapeutic process.
During the stay at the health resort, the patient can concentrate fully on the therapy being released from working stress and sorrows of everyday life. This is even more easier, since he is surrounded by many like-minded people, pursuing the same goal. Thus, the active cooperation is sustained by the mutual stimulation.
 
The patient is guided by the physician and the physiotherapist. The latter introduces the patient into the active therapeutic exercise. This requires the recognition of false postures, of muscle imbalances and of mobility restrictions as well as the knowledge of medical diagnosis and objectives. The goals consist in achieving a balanced static system, a harmonious muscle function and a normal mobility pattern. The physiotherapeutic treatment is today one of the fundamental components in all the clinics at Höchenschwand concerning the therapy of rheumatic-degenerative diseases.
 
The favourable natural features at Höchenschwand help to stimulate the patient to physical activity:
First of all there are the beneficial climatic effects (see the article of Prof. Wurm) and the beauty of the landscape. The extensive network of outdoor training and hiking trails in the woods or amidst meadows and fields with some marvellous viewpoints and tranquil rest areas invite to have extensive walks and hikes. In winter cross country skiing is the ideal sport to accompany a specific physiotherapeutic therapy. Balneological applications and massages, being the second part of the physiotherapy, complete reasonably the active therapeutic exercise. The technology allows applying further therapies otherwise not available, such as warm exercise baths, natural mud baths as well as mineral and carbonic baths.
 
We know that the balneo-therapeutic treatments have an impact on complex regulation mechanisms and help strengthening health. At Höchenschwand there are a wide variety of therapy facilities and many well-trained therapists, so that the treatments can be adapted to any disease pattern.
The physician elaborates and supervises the curative therapy, informs the patient about the consequences of an unhealthy life style and induces him to a healthy, balanced and controlled activity. The patient is trained to develop a sense of responsibility for the own health.
 
Finally, we can conclude that, given its broad basis, the rheumatic therapy at Höchenschwand meets not only the modern requirements, but is even a forerunner in the orthopaedic-rheumatologic rehabilitation.