Physiotherapy means physiotherapeutic system of medicine which includes examination, treatment advice and instructions to any person in connection with movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, physical disorder, disability, healing and pain from trauma and disease, and mental conditions using physical agents including exercises, mobilization, manipulation, mechanical and electrotherapy, physical  activity and mechanical devices, or diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

These days Physiotherapy profession has grown to acquire the form of a complete system of medicine on account of the bank of knowledge which has been acquired through scientific and clinical research work. The therapeutic & clinical Science each broadly composed of manual, mechanical and electrotherapy and achieves thermal, mechanical, chemical and electrical energy effects at cellular levels in tissue at different depths. These effects are regulated by the physiotherapists.

The physiotherapist’s skills are many times required in the health care team in most disciplines in medicine including surgery, neurology, orthopedics, gynecology, obstetrics, dermatology, ENT, cardiothoracic, vascular surgery, burns, plastic surgery, pediatrics, rehabilitation and sports medicine, etc.

Nature of Physiotherapy

Physical therapy is about working with people and population to maintain & restore maximum movement and functional ability through out the life. Physical therapy is particularly important in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by the process of aging or that of injury or disease. It is concerned with identifying and maximizing movement potential with in the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

The process of physical therapy, which is the service, provided by, or under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist includes assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention and evaluation. Assessment includes both, the examination of individuals or groups with actual or potential impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, and other conditions of health by history taking, screening and the use of specific tests of and examination through analysis and synthesis within a process of clinical reasoning. Diagnosis arises from the examination and evaluation and represents the outcome of the process of the clinical reasoning. This may be expressed in terms of movement dysfunction or may encompass categories of impairment, functional limitations, abilities or disabilities or syndromes.

A planning begins with determination of the need for intervention and normally leads to the development of a plan of intervention, including measurable outcome goals negotiated in collaboration with the patient or client family or caregiver. Alternatively it may lead to referral to another agency in cases, which are inappropriate for physical therapy.

Intervention is implemented and modified in order to reach agreed goals and may include manual handling, movement enhancement, physical, electro therapeutic and mechanical agents, functional training, provision of aids and appliances, patients related instruction, documentation and coordination and communication. Intervention may also be aimed at prevention of impairments, functional limitations, disabilities and injury including the promotion and maintenance of health, quality of life and fitness in all ages and for all people.

Purpose of Physiotherapy

The purpose of physiotherapy is to decrease body dysfunctions, reduce pain caused either by trauma, inflammation, degeneration and surgery. The various conditions in which physiotherapy is useful are as follows:-

1) After correct and firm management of a fracture, return to normal functions is possible with simple methods of physiotherapy. It allows for regain of full joint movements and muscles’ power after healing of a fracture.

2) In joints and soft tissue injury rapid repair of damaged tissue occurs with quick reduction of pain and swelling.

3) Restoration of full joint movements with reduction of pain and deformity is possible in various kinds of joint diseases like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis juvenile arthritis etc.

4) In degenerative disease of spine, physiotherapy arrests the progress of disease as in cervical spondylosis. It also has a major role to play in congenital disease of spine like spina-bifida.

5) Chest physiotherapy has a vital role to play in medical and surgical conditions like bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive lungs disease, pneumothorax but also surgical procedures involving spine, pelvis, extremities and abdomen.

6) In children physiotherapy is assuming real importance in children with cerebral palsy, spina-bifida, clubfoot, muscular dystrophy etc.

8) It easies labor and return to normal after delivery. It is also useful in gynecological problems like incontinence, prolepses of uterus, pelvis inflammatory disease.

9) Sports medicine- A physiotherapist is mandatory for any sport event. He maintains the fitness of sports person and provides first aid in case of various sports injuries.

The aims of Physiotherapy education

1. To produce the Physiotherapists with basic knowledge and skill.

2. To enable them to recognize the disease, traumatic, physical and mental conditions affecting health.

3. Take steps to prevent such diseases.

4. To treat such diseases scientifically.

5. To be able to recognize and refer patients for the timely intervention of other healthcare professionals specialized in the area of investigation and skilled treatment.

6. Must be capable of undertaking further study and advancing the knowledge and be able to take up further training, to undertake teaching, research and practice.

Scope of physiotherapy

Physical therapy is an essential part of health. Service delivery system is often undertaken within interdisciplinary rehabilitation or habilitation programmes for the restoration of optimal function and quality of life in individuals with loss and disorder of movements. However, physical therapists also work independently as other health care workers and are guided by their own code ethical principals.

Places of work for physiotherapists

Hospitals, Nursing homes, Residential homes, Rehabilitation centers, Private practices / Private clinics, Community health care centers, Primary health care centers, Fitness centers, Health clubs, Occupational health centers,  Special schools, Senior citizen centers, Sports centers, Teaching and N.G.O.

Courses

1) Bachelor of physiotherapy/B.Sc. (Hons.) physical therapy

Duration: - 4 and1/2 years (Including Internship)

Eligibility for admission:-Inter Science with Biology having more than 50% marks.

Process of admission: - Through entrance test / based on merit also.

Entrance Examination will be held in the months  -  April  / May.

Age: - not less than 17 years.

2) Master in physiotherapy (M.P.T.)

Duration - 2 Years

Eligibility - B.P.T. (4and ½ Year)

Specialty - Neurology, Orthopedic / Musculoskeletal, Sports, Cardiothoracic and Rehabilitation.