PECULIARITIES OF PHYSIOTHERAPY AS A COMPONENT OF THE COMBINED TREATMENT OF AGED PATIENTS

The main principles and peculiar features of the practical application of instrumental physiotherapeutic techniques are considered with special reference to the treatment of aged and elderly subjects. The rationale is proposed for the preferential use of preformed physical factors in whose mechanisms of action the thermal component plays either a negligible role or none at all. Certain specific features of the local or systemic action of physical factors on the organism of aged or elderly patients are discussed. It is emphasized that the introduction of physiotherapeutic methods and procedures in the combined treatment of such patients improves both its efficacy and quality; moreover, it prolongs the duration of the remission period. It is shown that the combination of physio-and balneotherapeutic modalities with traditional medicamental therapy gives marked positive effect in prophylaxis of certain diseases, slows down the process of ageing, and makes it possible to increase not only life expectancy but also the period of creative activity.

gerontology, physiotherapy, balneotherapy, electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, pulsed currents, laser therapy