Since there is no cure for polio, treatment focuses on supportive care and managing symptoms to prevent complications and maximize function. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in both acute polio management and long-term rehabilitation, especially for individuals with paralytic polio and Post-Polio Syndrome.

• Acute Phase (during the initial infection):
  • Pain and Spasm Management: Gentle stretching, hot moist packs, or heating pads can help alleviate muscle pain and spasms.
  • Positioning and Splinting: Maintaining correct posture and using splints or braces helps prevent deformities (e.g., foot drop, hip flexion contractures) and maintain proper alignment of limbs and the spine.
  • Gentle Passive Range of Motion (PROM): Careful passive movements of joints are performed to prevent stiffness and contractures, but these are avoided if muscles are in severe spasm or very tender.
  • Respiratory Support: For individuals with weakened breathing muscles, physiotherapy involves chest physiotherapy techniques and breathing exercises. Inspiratory muscle training may be used to improve lung endurance.
• Recovery and Chronic Phase (after the acute infection and for Post-Polio Syndrome):
  • Muscle Strength Training: Tailored exercise programs are designed to strengthen weakened muscles. This includes:
  • Progressive Resistance Training: Gradually increasing the resistance during exercises to build muscle strength.
  • Isokinetic Exercises: Exercises performed at a constant speed, often with specialized equipment, to improve muscle strength and endurance.
  • Focus on remaining muscle groups: Strengthening healthy muscles to compensate for paralyzed or weakened ones.
• Mobility and Gait Training:
  • Walking retraining: For those who can walk, exercises focus on improving gait patterns, balance, and coordination.
  • Use of assistive devices: Canes, crutches, walkers, or orthoses (braces like ankle-foot orthoses – AFOs, or knee-ankle-foot orthoses – KAFOs) are prescribed to provide support, improve stability, and facilitate ambulation.
  • Fatigue Management: A key aspect for PPS patients. Physiotherapists educate patients on energy conservation techniques, pacing activities, and the importance of rest periods. Over-exertion can worsen symptoms.
  • Pain Management: Besides modalities like heat and cold, physiotherapy may include manual therapy, massage, and exercises to alleviate muscle and joint pain. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) may also be used.
  • Balance and Coordination Exercises: Crucial for preventing falls and improving overall functional independence.
  • Flexibility and Stretching: Regular stretching is essential to prevent contractures and maintain range of motion, especially in muscles that may be overused to compensate for weaker ones.
  • Functional Training: Exercises that mimic daily activities to improve a person’s ability to perform tasks such as dressing, bathing, and eating.