What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy or Physical therapy (U.S) is a branch of rehabilitative medicine aimed at helping patients maintain, recover or improve their physical abilities.

Physiotherapists/Physical therapists (also abbreviated to P.T or Physio) work with patients whose movements may be undermined by aging, disease, environmental factors, or sporting hazards.  Physical therapy also involves the treatment of any pain, disease, or injury by physical means.

According to Medilexcon medical dictionary, physical therapy is:
“ The profession concerned with promotion of health, with prevention of physical disabilities, with evaluation and rehabilitation of persons disabled by pain, disease, or injury, and with treatment by physical therapeutic measures as opposed to medical, surgical, or radiologic measures.”

A physiotherapist seeks to identify and maximize quality of life and movement potential through prevention, intervention (treatment), promotion, habilitation, and rehabilitation.

HABILITATION means making somebody fit or capable of doing something.

REHABILITATION means making somebody fit or capable of doing something they can no longer do properly or at all, but used to be able to – i.e. restoring an ability or abilities.

PROMOTION means the process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health.

PHYSIOTHERAPY IS A CLINICAL HEALTH SCIENCE

Physiotherapy is not alternative therapy. It is a clinical health science. Physiotherapists study medical science subjects, including anatomy, neuroscience and physiology in order to acquire the health education needed for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, etc., of patients with physical problems.

The physiotherapist works in hospitals, GP (general practice, primary care medicine) practices, and the community (homes, nursing homes, schools, offices or with athletes). In the vast majority of countries a physical therapist must be fully qualified and registered by law. In order to become registered the physiotherapist must have graduated with a university degree in physiotherapy/physical therapy.

A qualified physical therapist is an expert in the examination and treatment of people with cardiothoracic, musculoskeletal and neuromuscular diseases; focusing on conditions and problems that undermine patients’ abilities to move and function effectively.

Physiotherapy is based on science.

According to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, UK:

“Physiotherapy is science-based, committed to extending, applying, evaluating and reviewing the evidence that underpins and informs its practice and delivery. The exercise of clinical judgment and informed interpretation is at its core.”