World Physiotherapy Day

Focusing on Osteoarthritis

World Physiotherapy Day is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the contributions of the physiotherapy (some prefer to refer to as physical therapy)  community and acknowledge their contributions to alleviating the pain of many. The discipline of Physiotherapy deals with the healing, prevention, and treatment of challenged and disabled people. Physiotherapy is a non-surgical procedure that aims to alleviate pain, restore functioning, and improve a patient’s ability to move the affected body. It is reported that Hippocrates and Hector were the first to employ water treatment and massage therapy on their patients. There is a connection between physiotherapy and Sushruta’s methods of proper breathing and physical exercises described in his book, Sushruta Samhita (dated back to 600 BC). Yoga is another domain which has had strong links with physiotherapy. Yoga can be beneficial in achieving physiotherapeutic goals. Physiotherapy is now utilised to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions. The focus of this year’s observation is on Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of disability. Physiotherapy helps in managing the symptoms of Osteoarthritis.  

In India, a physiotherapist is referred to as a doctor. As a full-fledged medical profession, Physiotherapy has completed 65 years in India. An estimate puts the number of qualified physiotherapists at around 5,000 in India. There is a significant shortage of physiotherapists in India, going by the WHO requirement of one for every 10,000 citizens. National-level Council for physiotherapy and allied life sciences is on the anvil in India. Physiotherapy as a profession has undergone a paradigmatic shift in recent years. The current research suggests better patient outcomes when a broader view of the patient’s symptoms contextualises the patient-therapist interaction. Physiotherapy is the best way to help elders and those in pain and trouble.  Physiotherapy can boost your overall health. Adopting an integrated approach enables physiotherapy to work with one’s mind and body to fasten healing and recovery.

Physiotherapy is a branch of science that deals with the healing, prevention, and treatment of challenged and bodily disabled people.

World Physiotherapy Day is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the contributions of the physiotherapy community and acknowledge their contributions to alleviating the pain of many. It provides an opportunity to advance the field and raise awareness of the need for physiotherapy in our society. The origin of world physiotherapy day is traced back to 1996. On September 8th, back in 1951, World Physiotherapy Association was founded. In 1996 during its annual meeting, it was resolved to observe September 8th as world physiotherapy day. Physiotherapy is also referred to as Physical Therapy in some countries.

Physiotherapy is a branch of science that deals with the healing, prevention, and treatment of challenged and bodily disabled people. Physiotherapy is a non-surgical procedure that aims to alleviate pain, restore functioning, and improve a patient’s ability to move the affected body. A physiotherapist is a crucial healthcare team member responsible for rehabilitating patients back to normal without medicines.

It is reported that Hippocrates and Hector were the first to employ water treatment and massage therapy on their patients. The earliest documented origins of physiotherapy date to Per Henrik Ling (Father of Swedish Gymnastics) in 1813. Until World War II, most physical therapies were performed in hospitals on suffering patients. The demands of the war led to the establishment of speciality physiotherapy clinics to treat and rehabilitate a considerable number of wounded soldiers. There is a connection between physiotherapy and Sushruta’s methods of proper breathing and physical exercises described in his book, Sushruta Samhita (dated back to 600 BC).

Physiotherapy is now utilised to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions. Physical therapists are actively involved in the care and well-being of athletes. Physiotherapy in oncology and palliative care is a continuously evolving and developing speciality. The domain of psychologically informed physiotherapy is helping to improve patient outcomes. The goals of physiotherapy vary depending on the patient’s specific needs but expected intended products include pain relief and a higher quality of life for the patient. Physiotherapy can also be used to improve mood and cognitive function. Employing gadgets like electrical stimulators and ultrasounds has improved therapeutic effectiveness.

The focus of this year’s observation is on Osteoarthritis. It is the most common joint condition, affecting more than 520 million people worldwide. Sixty per cent of the cases are related to the knee. Exercise is a first-line treatment for Osteoarthritis and is the leading cause of disability. The symptoms of Osteoarthritis can be managed with physiotherapy. Physiotherapy reduces stiffness, swelling, and pain, improving knee joint function and making it easier to perform regular chores.

Yoga is another domain which has had strong links with physiotherapy. Yoga can be beneficial in achieving physiotherapeutic goals. Yoga practices combined with physiotherapeutic processes can affect various body structures and systems, which is helpful for patients with neurological, orthopaedic, metabolic, and psychosomatic disorders

In India, a physiotherapist is referred to as a doctor. As a full-fledged medical profession, Physiotherapy has completed 65 years in India. An estimate puts the number of qualified physiotherapists in India at around 5,000. There is a significant shortage of physiotherapists in India, going by the WHO requirement of one for every 10,000 citizens. More than 250 Physiotherapy colleges in India offer a degree in Physiotherapy. Some of the best institutions offering the courses include MS Ramaiah College of Physiotherapy, St John’s Medical College, SRM, Manipal, BHU, Madras Medical College, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, and Research Institute.

In India, Medical, Dental, Pharmacy and Nursing have their councils; under that, they have specific Acts that must be followed for legal practice. When it comes to Physiotherapy, there are state councils for Physiotherapy. The medical and para-medical professionals hitherto questionable under the Law of Torts are brought under Consumer Law too. National-level Council for Physiotherapy and allied life sciences is on the anvil in India.

Recent years have seen a considerable shift in how the physiotherapy profession is evolving. The current research suggests better patient outcomes when a broader view of the patient’s symptoms contextualises the patient-therapist interaction. Physiotherapy is the best way to help elders and those in pain and trouble. People must make lifestyle changes to avoid potential injuries in future and promote overall health and wellness. Physiotherapy can boost your overall health. Adopting an integrated approach enables physiotherapy to work with one’s mind and body to fasten healing and recovery.

Toons: Shreya

Logs: Sai Baba

ToonLogs

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