What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that works with people to identify and maximise their ability to move and function and functional movement is a key part of what it means to be healthy.

The treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such as heat treatment and exercise rather than by drugs or surgery.

This means that physiotherapy plays a key role in enabling people to improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life.

What is the use of Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy also means the treatment of any pain, disease or injury by physical means. A physiotherapist seeks to identify and maximise quality of life and movement potential through prevention, intervention (treatment), promotion and rehabilitation.

Importance of Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy has existed as a form of treatment for dysfunctions and disabilities for years. It is considered a key treatment in the rehabilitation of patients suffering from debilitating conditions as a result of accidents or diseases.

Who is a Physiotherapist?

It takes 4.5 years to get a bachelors degree certificate and 2 years to complete a Masters program in Physiotherapy. Some countries offers Doctorate of Physiotherapy DPT. A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree is a post-baccalaureate 3-4 year degree which may be conferred upon successful completion of a professional doctoral program. (Education varies greatly by country. The span of education ranges from some countries having little formal education to others having doctoral degrees and post-doctoral residencies and fellowships.)

How can a Physiotherapist help?

Physiotherapists help people affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice. They maintain health for people of all ages, helping patients to manage pain and prevent disease.

Specifically, physiotherapists can help you with:

  • Promoting optimal mobility, physical activity and overall health and wellness

    Preventing disease, injury and disability.

  • Managing acute and chronic conditions, activity limitations, and participation restrictions.
  • Improving and maintaining optimal functional independence and physical performance.
  • Rehabilitating injury and the effects of disease or disability with therapeutic exercise programs and other interventions.
  • Educating and planning maintenance and support programs to prevent re-occurrence, re-injury or functional decline.

What does a Physiotherapist do?

Physiotherapists use their training and skills to treat a wide range of physical problems linked to different systems in the body, including:

Neuromuscular systems - concerned with both nerves and muscles. Nerves include the brain, spine and nerves throughout the body. Neuromuscular refers to neuromuscular junction - where nerves and muscle fibres meet, and also includes neuromuscular transmission - the transfer of information, impulses, from the nerve to the muscle.

Musculoskeletal systems - an organ system that gives us the ability to move using our muscles and bones (muscular and skeletal systems). The musculoskeletal system gives us form, movement and stability. The musculoskeletal system includes our bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints, and other connective tissue.

Cardiovascular systems - Include the heart and the circulatory systems. The circulatory system carries nutrients and oxygen via blood vessels to the tissues of the body and removes waste and carbon dioxide from them.

Respiratory systems - Include organs that are involved in breathing, such as the lungs, bronchi, trachea, larynx, throat, and nose.

In many, countries doctors increasingly refer their patients to physiotherapists, which is resulting in more and more patients going straight to the physiotherapist without having first seen a doctor.

The physiotherapist works autonomously, usually as part of a team with other health care and social care professionals. Physiotherapists also practise in the non-patient care roles such as health policy, health insurance, health care administration and as health care executives. Physiotherapists are involved in the medical-legal field serving as experts, performing peer review and independent medical examinations.

What is Electrotherapy?

Electrotherapy is the use of electrical energy as a medical treatment. Many patients will feel the immediate benefits from electrotherapy, it is wise to think of these passive modalities similarly to pain relieving or anti-inflammatory medications without Physiotherapist Advice patient is not suggested to take these treatments.

Main Electrotherapy Modalities

  • Ultrasound
  • Interferential Therapy (IFT)
  • Short wave diathermy (SWD)
  • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

Benefits of Physiotherapy

  • There is no consumption of medicines and focus is on rectifying the defect in the body through muscular movement.
  • Physiotherapy minimises pain caused by any injury or illness. This pain can range from back and neck injuries to fractures, joint disorders as well as arthritis. Arthritis mainly at old age is the leading cause of problems within joint mobility.
  • Physiotherapy works towards restoring a Balanced Emotional Mental State which is Crucial for Holistic Treatment.
  • Continuous Physiotherapy keeps Neurological Disorders in a Controlled State. (Parkinson’s disease, Chronic Fatigue, Dementia, Paralysis etc.)
  • Enables you to live a healthy life apart from merely relieving you from the temporary stress and pain that you are in.

"Physiotherapy is the most effective form of treatment for reducing pain in the body and putting its movements on the right track towards healing