Space medicine is what keeps astronauts healthy in space. The methods employed in space can also rehabilitate the injured or heal the sick on Earth.
A physio clinic in Mississauga will utilise these techniques to address injuries and assist in recovery. Here are 10 recovery techniques, inspired by space medicine.
- Resistance Exercise
In space, astronauts lose muscle to zero gravity. They strengthen with special resistance machines. Resistance bands and weights are used at a physio clinic in Mississauga to rehab muscles as a physiotherapist helps patients regain muscle. This is useful when you sustain an injury and are treated by a physiotherapist, such as an ankle sprain.
- Vibration Therapy
Astronauts do this by standing on vibrating platforms to keep their bones strong. On the ground, a physio clinic in Mississauga uses vibration therapy to help people enhance their bone density and muscle power. This can help people with osteoporosis or weak muscles recover more quickly.
- Electrical Muscle Stimulation
Astronauts exercise their muscles using electronic devices in space. This prevents muscle loss. At a good physio clinic in Mississauga, this technique accelerates recovery and assists those with conditions treated by a physiotherapist (eg, torn muscle) by increasing blood circulation.
- Hydrotherapy
Astronauts practice in water to mimic the conditions of space. A liquid, such as water, takes pressure off the body. Hydrotherapy pools in a physio clinic in Mississauga encourage positive movement without strain on joints. This is wonderful for arthritis or post-surgical healing.
- Balance Training
Balance is tricky to come by in space. Astronauts exercise to increase coordination. Physiotherapists rely on balance boards and exercises to help patients recover from injury or strengthen stability. This further encourages the role of physiotherapy in mental health, by managing stress by controlling the body.
- Virtual Reality Therapy
Astronauts train using virtual reality to rehearse their duties in space. At a physio clinic in Mississauga, virtual reality makes exercises fun for patients and helps them recover faster. It further facilitates mental health physiotherapy through the enhanced ability to concentrate and the calming of anxiety during therapy.
- Compression Therapy
Astronauts use compression suits to regulate blood flow in space. On the ground, compression suits can help combat swelling on Earth and encourage circulation. This is employed after an injury, such as a sprain or following surgery, to accelerate recovery.
- Cryotherapy
Cold therapy is employed in space medicine to treat inflammation. At a physio clinic in Mississauga, patients in pain due to an injury might be treated with cryotherapy to reduce swelling. For this method, using ice packs or cold chambers is a standard practice.
- Nutritional Support
Astronauts have to be on a strict diet to remain healthy. Physiotherapists develop meal plans with patients to facilitate healing. Good nutrition restores tissues and fuels energy for recovery.
- Mental Health Support
Pinterest Space missions can be stressful, so astronauts receive mental health support. Relaxation strategies, like breathing exercises, are used by mental health physiotherapists to assist their patients with stress management. This enhances healing by allowing the mind to be at rest.
Final Words
The techniques from space medicine are successful because they are tried and true in extremes. At a physio clinic in Mississauga, these strategies treat injuries and improve your health. Mental health physiotherapists also use some of these techniques to address emotional health. Whether you’re dealing with a sports injury or want stress relief, these recovery techniques can be a game-changer.
