Physical therapy or physiotherapy (sometimes abbreviated to PT) is the health care profession primarily concerned with the remediation of impairments and disabilities and the promotion of mobility, functional ability, quality of life and movement potential through examination, evaluation, diagnosis and physical intervention.

It helps in restoring normal body function and preventing disability arising from disease, trauma or injury. PTs utilize 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.

What is the role of a physiotherapist?

The Physiotherapist assists the patient in the movement restoration. His tasks include the following:

• Muscle strength evaluation and quantification.
• Physiotherapy exercises to maintain and increase joint range of motion.
• Evaluate and train sitting and standing balance.
• Physical therapy exercises to increase strength,endurance and coordination for other specific muscle groups or the entire body.
• Use various physical therapy modalities such as both superficial and deep heat and cold as well as hydrotherapy techniques, electrical stimulation, traction and massage for pain relief.
• Aid in home evaluation to make the environment barrier free and accessible.

What are the types of physiotherapy?

Physiotherapists can specialise in a number of different areas including sports medicine, children’s health (paediatrics), and women’s health and within these parameters there are three different areas of practise. These are:

• Musculoskeletal which is also called orthopaedic physiotherapy and is used to treat conditions such as sprains, back pain, arthritis, strains, incontinence, bursitis, posture problems, sport and workplace injuries, plus reduced mobility. Rehabilitation following surgery is also included within this category.
• Neurological- This is used to treat disorders of the nervous system including strokes, spinal cord injuries, acquired brain injuries, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. It can also be used for rehabilitation following brain surgery.
• Cardiothoracic is the name given to the treatment of used asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and other cardio-respiratory disorders.