When combining clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence, clinicians can make informed decisions regarding patient management. This includes selecting and interpreting the most appropriate evaluation and intervention strategies based on the best available evidence to succeed with the least associated risk.
The goal of every clinician should be to enhance patient/client satisfaction, increase efficiency, and decrease unproven treatment approaches, using an intricate blend of experience, knowledge, and interpersonal skills. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis requires a systematic and logical approach. Such an approach should be eclectic because no single method always works. For any intervention to be successful, an accurate diagnosis must be followed by a carefully planned and specific rehabilitation program for the affected area and its related structures. Electrotherapeutic and thermal/cryotherapeutic modalities should be viewed as adjuncts to the rehabilitative process.
Please go to www.accessphysiotherapy.com for numerous video clips of manual techniques and therapeutic exercises, which the reader is encouraged to view. The following icon is used throughout the text to indicate when such clips are available. [VIDEO]