Paresis, historical therapy in the perspective of Caelius Aurelianus, with special reference to the use of hydrotherapy in antiquity.
Caelius Aurelianus provides in his work Tardarum sive chronicarum passionum, based on Soranos' famous, but lost, work about acute and chronical illnesses, a remarkably detailed description of the physio-therapy of paresis, which covers the complete therapeutic spectrum of the groundwork of a combined therapy. His view that rehabilitative treatment should be started from the second day of illness sounds almost revolutionary. Also, modern early rehabilitation makes a specific use of combined therapy in a way that is analogous to that described by Caelius Aurelianus. Even today, the view is taken that fast mobilisation of the patient is the top priority of therapy. The three-stage mobilisation therapy involving exercises in rolling-in-bed as well as practice in trying-to-sit-up is quite similar to what is common practice today.
Klinik für Allgemeine Neurochirurgie, Universität zu Köln, Joseph-Stelzmann Strasse-9, 50935 Köln, Germany.
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Lippert-Grüner
D004434:Early Ambulation / Q000266:history; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000266:history; D010291:Paresis / Q000266:history* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000266:history*