Overview
Physiotherapy is a science-based healthcare profession that helps to restore movement and function. Physiotherapy is utilised to improve patient’s physical functions through physical examination, functional diagnosis, prognosis, physical intervention, rehabilitation and patient education. It is provided as a primary health care treatment or alongside other medical services.
What physiotherapists do?
Physiotherapists address the illnesses or injuries that limit a person’s abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. Physiotherapists use an individual’s history and physical examination to arrive at a diagnosis and establish a management plan and, when necessary, incorporate the results of laboratory and imaging studies, or refer to other practitioners when appropriate. Physiotherapists implement manual therapy, passive and assisted movements, specialised exercises, various electrotherapies and mechanical means.
In addition, physiotherapists work with individuals to reduce or prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs. This is achieved by developing wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles, providing services to individuals and populations aimed to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan. This includes providing therapeutic treatment in circumstances where movement and function is altered by injury, disease or environmental factors.
At the core of physiotherapy is the patient’s involvement in their own care, through education, awareness, empowerment and participation in their treatment.
Why physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a degree-based healthcare profession. Physiotherapists use their knowledge and skills to improve a range of conditions associated with different systems of the body, such as:
- Neurological (stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s)
- Neuromusculoskeletal (back pain, whiplash associated disorder, scoliosis, osteoarthritis)
- Cardiovascular (chronic heart disease, rehabilitation after heart attack)
- Respiratory (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Sports injuries (fracture, dislocation, sprain, strain)