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What is physiotherapy?
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"Physiotherapy
is a health care profession concerned with human function and movement
and maximising potential: it uses physical approaches to promote, maintain
and restore physical, psychological and social well-being, taking account
of variations in health status it is science-based, committed to extending,
applying, evaluating and reviewing the evidence that underpins and informs
its practice and delivery the exercise of clinical judgement and informed
interpretation is at its core." The above definition is taken from the
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Curriculum Framework (January 2002).
See the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy website for details Physiotherapists
work in a great variety of settings such as orthopaedics, intensive care,
paediatrics, mental illness, stroke recovery, occupational health, ergonomics,
musculoskeletal treatment in hospitals and private practice, and care
of the elderly. What is physiotherapy? 2 Physiotherapy is a science-based
healthcare profession which views movement as central to health and well
being. Physiotherapists aim to identify and make the most of movement
ability by health promotion, preventive advice, treatment and rehabilitation.
Core skills used by physiotherapists include manual therapy, therapeutic
exercise and the application of electrophysical modalities. Physiotherapists
believe it is of vital importance to take note of psychological, cultural
and social factors which influence their clients. They try and bring the
patients into an active role to help make the best of independence and
function. Physiotherapy is an autonomous profession (practitioners make
their own clinical judgements and treatment choices)and practice reflection
(reviewing their own behaviour and success in their work and taking action
as appropriate to solve problems they identify in themselves). Systematic
clinical reasoning is used in a problem-solving approach to patient-centred
care. What do physiotherapists do? Physiotherapists work with a broad
variety of physical problems, especially those associated with the neuromuscular,
musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. They may work
alone, with physiotherapy colleagues or teams and with other healthcare
professionals in multi-professional teams. These are examples of the areas
physiotherapists work in: Outpatients - treating spinal and joint problems,
accidents and sports injuries. Intensive Care Units - keeping limbs mobile
and chests clear. Women's Health - ante- and post-natal care advice, exercise
and posture, managing continence and post-gynaecological operations. Care
of Elderly - maintaining mobility and independence, rehabilitation after
falls, treatment of arthritis, Parkinson's disease, chest conditions.
Neurology - helping people restore normal movement and function in stroke,
multiple sclerosis and other conditions. Orthopaedics and Trauma - restoring
mobility after hip and knee replacements and spinal operations, treating
patients after accidents. Mental Illness - taking classes in relaxation
and body awareness, improving confidence and self-esteem through exercise.
People with Learning Difficulties - using sport and recreation to develop
people, assessing and providing specialist footwear, seating and equipment.
Occupational Health - treating employees in small to large organisations
and companies, looking at work habits to prevent physical problems such
as repetitive strain injury. Terminally Ill (Palliative Care) - working
in the community or in hospices, treating patients with cancer and AIDS.
Paediatrics - treating sick and injured children, those with severe mental
and physical handicaps, and conditions like cerebral palsy and spina bifida
Community - treating a wide variety of patients at home and giving advice
to carers. Private Sector - working independently in private practice,
clinics, hospitals, and GP surgeries, treating a wide range of conditions.
Education and Health Promotion - teaching people about many conditions
and lifestyle choices. This may include back care, ergonomics, taking
exercise classes and cardiac rehabilitation groups. Sports clinics - treating
injuries in sportsmen and women, advising on recovering fitness and avoiding
repeated injury. Voluntary Organisations - advising and consulting for
organisations supporting and caring for people with multiple sclerosis
and Parkinson's disease.
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