The word rehabilitation is used frequently in our daily lives, but not many people actually understand its exact meaning. Many people think of rehabilitation as training that is an extension of medical treatment, but the true essence of rehabilitation is to recover lost functions and regain daily life functions. In other words, it is not simply a process of recovering muscle strength, but a process to improve the quality of life itself.
Originally, the word "rehabilitation" is an abbreviation of "rehabilitation," which means to return to a suitable state. This does not only mean medical rehabilitation, but also includes psychological, social, and occupational recovery. For example, when a part of the body is no longer functioning due to illness or injury, efforts are made to replace or supplement that function and bring the person closer to their original life. This is the essence of rehabilitation.
One common misconception is that rehabilitation is only for the elderly and hospitalized patients. However, in reality, rehabilitation is necessary for all ages and situations, including disorders of the musculoskeletal system, sequelae of strokes, injuries from traffic accidents, and even prevention of the progression of mental illness and dementia. In modern times, rehabilitation aimed at restoring the performance of athletes and recovering physical function after childbirth is also considered an important field.
Furthermore, rehabilitation is not limited to the body. A wide variety of professionals work together to provide a variety of services, including speech-language-hearing therapy for those with impaired speech function, occupational therapy for those with difficulties in daily living activities, and physical therapy to assist with walking and standing up. Each therapy has a clearly defined purpose, and the most appropriate method is selected according to the target disability and function.
Here we will summarize the main types of rehabilitation and their purposes.
Types of rehabilitation
|
Main Objective
|
Target features
|
Job type
|
Physical therapy (PT)
|
Restoring and maintaining motor function
|
Gait, muscle strength, range of motion
|
Physiotherapist
|
Occupational Therapy (OT)
|
Acquisition of activities of daily living and mental care
|
Eating, excretion, changing clothes, hobbies, work, etc.
|
Occupational Therapist
|
Speech-language-hearing therapy (ST)
|
Improved speech, hearing and swallowing abilities
|
Speech, swallowing, pronunciation, hearing
|
Speech-language-hearing therapist
|
Psychosocial rehabilitation
|
Reintegration and life support
|
Mental disorders, interpersonal relationships, and occupational functioning
|
Mental health and welfare workers, etc.
|
In this way, rehabilitation is based on a multidisciplinary team approach, and by combining the expertise of each profession, it is possible to improve the quality of life of patients. It is essential to consider not only how to move the body, but also how to return to social life and how to continue working.
Understanding the original purpose of rehabilitation and receiving appropriate support is directly linked not only to the individual's physical function, but also to their mental stability and social independence. A correct understanding of the significance of the support, not only for the person receiving it but also for their family and supporters, has a major impact on the final outcome.
The difference between treatment and rehabilitation, which many people tend to misunderstand, is an extremely important point in order to avoid going astray on the path to recovery. Treatment is aimed at removing the direct causes of illness or injury, while rehabilitation is support that looks toward life after the illness and is a process that requires continual support. The importance of rehabilitation will likely increase in the future as an effort that takes into account the prevention of recurrence, the maintenance of function, and even social participation.