Rehabilitation: types, what is it, for whom?

What is rehabilitation?

The goal of rehabilitation is to minimize the physical and psychological consequences caused by a health problem following an accident, trauma, health problem, etc. It is practiced in a multidisciplinary context involving doctors and specialized paramedical staff. Rehabilitation is for everyone, regardless of age. The care can be done during a hospitalization or in private consultation in the professional’s office.

What are the different types of rehabilitation?

The team around the patient will depend on the health problem encountered (medical, deficiency, incapacity, handicap)…. The different types of rehabilitation possible are:

• There physiotherapy. “It uses different techniques (massage, passive and active mobilizations, physiotherapy, balance and proprioception exercises) to help the joint or muscle regain strength and mobility.“, explains Dr. Christophe Delong, specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
• occupational therapy. She studies, arranges and designs the patient’s environment to make it more accessible. “He recommends and designs technical aids to help patients regain their daily autonomy.“, adds Dr. Delong.
• There podiatry. She makes orthopedic insoles to compensate for an imbalance.
• I’orthopedic fitter. “He makes corsets, orthoses and splints according to the needs of the patient and his disability.“, says our expert.
• speech therapy. It helps people with speech, language and communication difficulties to express themselves.
• orthoptics. It supports eye rehabilitation.

And also: nurses, caregivers, social workers, dieticians, teachers of adapted physical activity, psychologists…

Who should do rehabilitation?

Many disabilities, illnesses and situations may require the use of rehabilitation:

• A disease : stroke, neuromuscular pathologies, neurodegenerative pathologies such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, amputation, paralysis, etc.
• In postpartum
• A trauma or an injury
• A surgical intervention
• In case of orthopedic disorders (malformations, motor retardation, etc.)
• In case of joint disorders : osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis…
• Wearing a prosthesisespecially in the hip, knee or hand.
• Of the chronic pain or repeatedly: low back pain, tendonitis, neck pain, fibromyalgia…
• A athlete follow-up

Who to consult for rehabilitation?

Access to these health professionals requires the prescription of your doctor. But since the adoption of the Rist law in May 2023, direct access to certain nurses, physiotherapists and speech therapists, without going through the attending physician, is possible. This direct access is however limited to carers who work in structures such as a hospital, a clinic, a social or medico-social establishment or, in town, in a house or a health centre. For the massage therapistsfor example, the number of sessions authorized in direct access is limited to eight.

Everything will depend on what required rehabilitation and the health professional consulted. In common core, during the first session, an assessment is carried out. “Then, at the physiotherapist’s, for example, during the very first session, the practitioner questions his patient about the reasons which lead him to consult, the discomfort and pain felt on a daily basis, he looks at the radiological examinations and assesses the deficiencies functionalsays Dr. Delong. Once this assessment has been carried out, and depending on the problem encountered, he will be able to propose different exercises to practice in the office“. Sometimes you will be asked to make them at home as well.

After how long do we see the results?

Rehabilitation usually gives very good results, whatever the problem. But it is a progressive work.

How much does a rehabilitation session cost?

According to’Health Insurancethe consultation of medical auxiliaries such as nurses, physiotherapists, speech therapists, orthoptists, podiatrists-podiatrists sector 1 is €16.13 the session.

Is it reimbursed?

Health insurance reimburses the session up to 60%.

Thanks to Dr. Christophe Delong, specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.