Disease that Related to Physiotherapy in Travel Medicine

Traveler whos traveling from one country to another must pay attention to the
conditions in transportation when traveling and when already in a country that has a different
geographic situation. The several diseases associated with physiotherapy in travel medicine
are:
1. Deep Vein Trombhosis (DVT)
Muscle is one of the important organs in human body. Contraction of the muscles have
key role in helping to keep blood flowing through the veins, particularly in the legs.
Prolonged immobility, especially when seated, can lead to pooling of blood in the legs,
which in turn may cause swelling, stiffness and discomfort. It is known that immobility
is one of the factors that may lead to the development of a blood clot in a deep vein –
so-called “deep vein thrombosis” or DVT. Research has shown that DVT can occur as
a result of prolonged immobility, for instance during long-distance travel, whether by
car, bus, train or air. The findings of the epidemiological studies of WHO indicate that
the risk of venous thromboembolism is increased 2- to 3-fold after long-haul flights
(more than 4 h) and also with other forms of travel involving prolonged seated
immobility. Intervention in physiotherapy that given to patient with DVT such as ankle
pump, stretching, ROM exercise and compression therapy (bandage and elevation).
2. Pulmonary Embolism
In most cases of DVT, the clots are small and do not cause any symptoms. The body is
able to gradually break down the clots and there are no long-term effects. Larger clots
may cause symptoms such as swelling of the leg, tenderness, soreness and pain.
Occasionally a piece of a clot may break off and travel with the bloodstream, to become
lodged in the lungs. This is known as pulmonary embolism and may cause chest pain,
shortness of breath and, in severe cases, sudden death. This can occur many hours or
even days after the formation of the clot in the leg. Physiotherapy’s intervention such
as breathing exercise can reduce symptoms of pulmonary embolism.
3. Sprain and Strain on Surfer
Sprains and strains occur as a result of twists and turns upon the body, landing
awkwardly or just generally overdoing it. Surfer may feel a sharp pain at first then
eventually becomes an ache and can be restrictive in some cases. Common in ankles,
knees and shoulders. Sprain mostly occur at the ligaments and strain occur at the
 muscles. First aid of this cases is RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) then
physiotherapy can give exercise like ankle motion.
4. Lower Limb and Lower Back Fracture on Paragliding
Injuries sustained of paragliding tend to affect different part of the body in comparison
of those sustained in hang gliding. Due to their position, paragliding pilots are more
susceptible to lower limb and lower back injuries. Multiple injuries are common in
paragliding, and a concurrence of lower limb and lower back fracture as the result.
Physiotherapy can take a part in rehabilitation phase depends on the type and section
of the fracture, intervention that can be done by physiotherapy such as ROM exercise,
muscle strength.