Dr. Apoorva Shrivastava on Addressing Lifestyle Disorders through Physiotherapy

Dr. Apoorva Shrivastava, CEO & Founder of Resolve360, shares her expertise on the importance of physiotherapy in addressing lifestyle disorders. From sedentary lifestyles to innovative solutions, Dr. Shrivastava discusses the latest trends and advancements in physiotherapy.

What are the major health risks associated with sedentary lifestyles?

Sedentary lifestyle has taken over our normal lifestyle so much. The very important health risks are neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders, along with metabolic disorders, which are taking over everything right now. Lifestyle disorders are caused by sedentary lifestyle, and it’s a major health risk. Previously, musculoskeletal issues like arthritis were age-related, but now they are affecting the younger generation due to lifestyle changes.

How can India address the deficit of physiotherapists and provide better access to physiotherapy services?

According to a WHO study, India has a 40% deficit of physiotherapists, which is a big number. They are concentrated in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, but in Tier 3 and Tier 4 areas, you will only find quacks who aren’t qualified. I think technology is the answer, as it allows us to reach the masses in remote areas. With active physiotherapy, we don’t need equipment or physical touch, so we can provide therapy sessions remotely. Research shows that active physiotherapy provides 30 times faster recovery than passive physiotherapy.

What innovative solutions can increase accessibility to physiotherapy services in rural areas?

We have an online platform for physiotherapy, which has catered to over 20,000 patients since 2019. Such platforms providing active physiotherapy with clinical excellence will work because the internet is everywhere, even in villages. People are making reels and posting on YouTube, so accessibility to the internet is not an issue. With smartphones everywhere, online physiotherapy platforms will work like magic.

How can online physiotherapy sessions improve treatment outcomes?

It’s about the person treating you—are they clinically skilled? With online care, you can access the best physiotherapists or doctors in the country. If they guide you with their clinical excellence, the level of perfection will be better, and people will get treated successfully.

What patient-centric approaches can physiotherapists adopt to enhance therapeutic relationships and treatment efficacy?

Patient education is very important because lifestyle disorders occur due to wrong lifestyle choices. A therapist can only be with the patient for a session, but the patient is with their own body 24/7. So, patient education helps them understand their problem, recovery journey, and navigate it with the therapist. Remote therapy is also patient-centric, as it saves patients from commuting, especially those with severe pain. Our platform offers 24/7 sessions, allowing patients to book whenever they want. Being patient-centric is very important in this era.

Can you tell us about Resolve360 and how it helps patients?

Our platform, Resolve360, helps with neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and metabolic disorders like diabetes, thyroid, PCOD, disc bulge problems, sciatica, arthritis, and ligament tears. We have treated over 20,000 people globally and focused on addressing the root cause, not just symptoms. For example, if an MRI shows a disc bulge, that’s not the root cause of pain, but rather weak muscles holding the pain. We identify and address these root causes to help people.

What conditions can benefit from physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is effective for conditions like arthritis, frozen shoulder, sciatica, nerve-related issues, cervical issues, ankylosing spondylitis, muscle tears, ligament tears, and post-surgical issues. It’s also beneficial for cardiac issues, improving lung function, especially for people over 40 with diminished lung function due to pollution.