Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a combination of therapies designed to reduce physical discomfort and improve well-being through exercise therapy, electrotherapy, manual therapy and more. If you are a new patient, the first thing we do is assess your condition before discussing the appropriate plan of treatment. You also need to be involved in this discussion to learn more about the ways you can help yourself feel better, faster.

Our Services

Inpatients Physiotherapy

The Inpatient Physiotherapy serves all referred inpatients and some of the out-patient cases which are not covered by Outpatient Physiotherapy.

Patients who require physiotherapy treatment will be referred by their attending physician. After your doctor refers you to physiotherapy, you will be assessed by a physiotherapist to determine your treatment plan. You may receive your treatment in the ward by the assigned physiotherapist or be brought to the above location to continue with physiotherapy treatment. Once you are discharged from the hospital, you will be given an outpatient appointment at our Outpatient Physiotherapy Centre.

Inpatients will be seen on a by appointment basis. An appointment date and time will be given for subsequent follow-up visits.

Patients who may require physiotherapy:

• Frail patient or patient who requires more attention or assistant
• Geriatric patient (neurology cases, dementia or confuse)
• Neurological rehabilitation
• Foreign patient or Patients who are having a short stay in Penang who require physiotherapy

Outpatients Physiotherapy

To access the service you are required to obtain a referral letter from your doctor recommending you for physiotherapy. To ensure quality service from your physiotherapist, you are encouraged to fix an appointment with your therapist prior to your visit and keep to your appointment date and time.

During your first assessment, you may choose for a male or female therapist. For better progression of your treatment, you are advised to follow one primary therapist. At times when your primary therapist is not available, you will be assigned to another therapist. Rest assured that you will only be attended to by one of our highly qualified and certified physiotherapists at every session.

During the assessment, your therapist may ask you questions related to your condition such as your day to day activities and how you manage your symptoms. You may also need to show the therapist the injured part of your body. Afterwards, your therapist will explain his or her findings and plan of treatment. This includes the frequency of visits, duration, estimated cost and types of treatment.

For safety purposes and to ensure you get a comprehensive explanation prior to your treatment, your therapist will ask you to sign a consent form after he/she explains your condition and plan of treatment.

In the event of absence or defaulted appointment without first informing your therapist for 2 consecutive weeks, you will need to see your doctor to obtain another referral before proceeding with your treatment.

Our Services

Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy

For sufferers of musculoskeletal injuries, including those rehabilitating from orthopaedic surgery such as fractures, acute sports injuries, arthritis, sprains, strains, back and neck pain, spinal conditions and amputations.

Paediatric Physical Therapy

For paediatric patients with musculoskeletal problems and neurology developmental delay.

Wellbeing Programme

Swedish Massage

Our massage is a relaxing Swedish touch that blends with therapeutic care to address the needs of your body. Start living your life and get your wellness and relaxation you deserved. Swedish massage therapy will help to reduce body tension, calms the mind, enhance sleep and provide total relaxation.

Pre and Post Natal Massage

Pre and post natal massage is performed by a certified person in pre-postnatal massage. The benefits of prenatal massage include enhances relaxation, improves physical and emotional stress, relieves pain and discomfort, improve blood and lymphatic flow, improve general wellbeing, and improve sleep.

For postnatal massage, the benefits include relieve muscle tension, relieve pain and discomfort, improves muscle tone, improves blood and lymphatic flow, induces good sleep, enhances relaxation, improves general wellbeing, and boosts milk production.

Cardiac Rehabilitation and Cardio Fitness

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program in partnership with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals that helps improve the social condition, mental and physical health and well-being of people who have heart problems. The program consists of 4 phases which include exercise training, education on heart healthy living, and counseling to reduce stress and help patient return to an active life in a timely manner.

4 Phases in Cardiac Rehabilitation

• The initial phase of cardiac rehabilitation will begin as soon as after a cardiac event or cardiac surgery when you are still in the hospital. Based on your condition and response, a progressive less strenuous exercise program will proceed during the length of your stay and the exercise goals will be established and communicated to you and your family each day. Education on home-exercise walking, home activities precaution, daily dietary and lifestyle management will be given by the members of cardiac rehabilitation team.
• Phase II is the early outpatient exercise program. You will be referred by the physician to Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre whereby you will be scheduled to start the program within 1 week to 1 month after discharged from hospital. A closely monitored exercise program is emphasized in this phase and the program is designed by trained physiotherapist to meet your individual needs depending on the specific heart problem or disease. It consists of warm up exercise, exercises targeting on cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and ends with a cool down session.
• Phase III is an advanced outpatient exercise program as progression of phase II that also takes place in Adventist Vibrant Heart Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre. It involves a more intense level of exercises based on the doctor’s recommendation and your goal. At the same time, you are continued to be monitored of your body’s response to increased workload.

Cardio Fitness Program

In this program will contain cardio exercise and strength training exercise which can raise your heart rate and also improve your body metabolism. Strength training in this program will target your large muscle group.

Components involved:

• Interval training to improve aerobic power should involve low or high intensity intervals with 1 to 2 minutes recovery in between. Warm up and cold down (around 10minutes) at low intensity aerobic pace are important during interval training
• Strength training consists of different types of exercise which used the resistance to induce muscle contraction which can build the strength, anaerobic endurance and size of skeletal muscles. The basic principles of strength training involved the number of repetitions (reps), sets, force to cause changes in strength, endurance and size by overloading a group of muscles. Sample of strength training: 3 sets of 8 to 12 repetitions of a resistance training exercise for each major muscle group at an intensity of 40% to 80% of a one repetition max (RM). Rest in between exercise sets is recommended to allow for proper muscle recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should participate in cardiac rehabilitation program?

People with:

• Recent heart attack
• Recent heart surgery (example: CABG, valve replacement)
• Angina
• Pacemaker
• Heart disease (CHF)

Who can participate in cardiac fitness program?

People with:

• High risk of getting heart disease (family history of heart problem, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and smoking)
• Post menopause
• Diabetes

What are the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation program?

• Improve your cardiovascular endurance
• Help to control your weight gain
• Strengthen your muscle
• Improve general flexibility
• Improve your cholesterol level (HDL)
• Improve circulationLower your blood pressure
• Lower your blood pressure
• Reduce risk of future heart event

What are the benefits of cardiac fitness program?

• Weight loss (burning more calories than you take in)
• Increase bone density
• Reduce stress with better sleep
• Reduce risk of heart disease
• Helps to control blood pressure and improves blood lipid profile (cholesterol)
• Strengthen heart and lung
• Reduce mood swing and depression
• Increase energy level for more active lifestyle

How to get started for cardiac rehabilitation/fitness program?

You will need to consult your cardiologist and a referral is required to participate in the program. Please bring along a copy of the documents listed below on your first visit to Adventist Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre:

1. Cardiac test which may include: Stress test, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Echocardiogram (for Cardiac Rehabilitation Program)
2. Recent Blood test results which may include: Cholesterol panel, Electrolytes, Hematocrit and haemoglobin, Blood glucose (sugar) level
3. Medical records from recent hospitalizations or any other relevant documents which may include: Operation reports, Hospitalization discharged summary

Remark
**Cardiac rehabilitation and fitness program are carried out by trained physiotherapist. Participants who have any knee or back pain can still join our program. These programs are strictly appointment-based.

Adventist Physiotherapy Centre, Bukit Mertajam

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