What is Physiotherapy?

Dental

Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is one of the allied health professions. As a profession we provide a range of diagnostic, technical, therapeutic, and support services in connection with health care. To put it in simple terms physiotherapy is an allied medical health profession.

Physiotherapy is defined differently by different health bodies. Here we will outline the definition as laid by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“ Physiotherapists assess, plan and implement rehabilitative programs that improve or restore human motor functions, maximize movement ability, relieve pain syndromes, and treat or prevent physical challenges associated with injuries, diseases and other impairments. They apply a broad range of physical therapies and techniques such as movement, ultrasound, heating, laser, and other techniques. They may develop and implement programs for screening and prevention of common physical ailments and disorders”
Break Free from your Pain with the help of Physiotherapy

Based on the above-mentioned definition, a physiotherapist can do assessment independently as a first-hand professional, apply “physical therapies” and may use other modalities. In Indian context, the profession is regulated by different state councils for example Maharashtra state council for occupational therapy & physiotherapy, Delhi council for physiotherapy and occupational therapy etc.

In India physiotherapy is a four-and-a-half-year course with further post graduate specialization of two years in many different fields like-

  1. Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
  2. Neurological Physiotherapy
  3. Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy
  4. Sports Physiotherapy
  5. Hand Physiotherapy

These specializations make a physiotherapist competent in a particular field and they are specialist of that domain. The long-held belief that physiotherapy only deals with injuries is a misconception. Physiotherapy has evolved as a profession and has a wider role in health care sector.

Physiotherapy strategies can be broadly (not limited) divided into following categories

Exercise therapy-use of active, passive mobility exercises, strengthening exercises, etc.

  • Electrotherapy- Hot pack, Cold Pack, other modalities like TENS, US therapy etc.
  • Manual therapy- use of various manual mobilization and manipulation techniques, self-mobilization techniques
  • Patient Education
  • Health Promotion
  • Preventative Health Strategies
A physiotherapist do not need a pre-decided prescriptions to assess and treat our patients. It is fine for you to approach a physiotherapist whenever you feel like.

Just walk in.

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