What is rehabilitation?

Nasha Mukti Kendra in Shimla, an intricate process encompassing physical, mental, and cognitive aspects, endeavours to restore, maintain, and enhance vital abilities required for everyday life. These abilities may have been compromised due to illnesses, injuries, or medical treatments. The purpose of rehabilitation is to ameliorate one's daily existence and functional capacity.

Who can benefit from rehabilitation, you might wonder?

 Rehabilitation is indispensable for individuals who have experienced a loss of essential life skills. Some common causes include:

Injuries and trauma, comprise burns, fractures (breakages in the bones), traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.

• Stroke.
• Severe infections.
• Major surgical interventions.
• Adverse effects result from medical treatments, such as those used in cancer treatments.
• Specific birth defects and genetic disorders.
• Developmental disabilities.
• Chronic pain, including back and neck pain.

Rehabilitation aims to restore independence, and varied objectives are set based on individual circumstances. These objectives are contingent upon the underlying cause, whether it is temporary or persistent, the specific abilities that have been compromised, and the severity of the issue. Here are a few illustrative examples:

A stroke survivor may require rehabilitation to regain the ability to dress or bathe without assistance.

An active individual who has experienced a heart attack may undergo cardiac rehabilitation to facilitate a return to regular exercise.

Individuals with lung diseases may receive pulmonary rehabilitation to enhance their breathing capacity and augment their overall quality of life.

What does a rehabilitation program entail?

•  Such programs typically involve a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals who collaborate to assess your requirements, goals, and treatment plan. The treatment plan may incorporate various interventions, including:
• Assistive devices encompass tools, equipment, and products designed to facilitate movement and functionality for individuals with disabilities.
• Cognitive rehabilitation therapy aims to relearn or enhance critical thinking, learning, memory, planning, and decision-making skills.

Mental health counselling. Music or art therapy is utilized to aid in emotional expression, cognitive improvement, and social connection development. Nutritional counselling. Assistance with daily living activities through occupational therapy.

• Physical therapy to improve strength, mobility, and overall fitness.
• Recreational therapy utilizes artistic endeavours, games, relaxation techniques, and animal-assisted therapy to promote emotional well-being.
• Speech-language therapy to address communication, comprehension, reading, writing, and swallowing difficulties.
•  Pain management interventions. 
• Vocational rehabilitation to cultivate skills required for education or employment. 

Depending on individual needs, rehabilitation may take place in healthcare providers' offices, hospitals, or inpatient rehabilitation centres. In certain instances, healthcare professionals may provide care in the comfort of your own home. However, if home-based care is pursued, the presence of supportive family members or friends is essential to aid in the rehabilitation process.