Physical therapy or more commonly known as physiotherapy is the therapy aimed at remediation of such impairments in human beings, which limits a person’s ability to move or perform various activities. These impairments may be a result of a disease or an injury. Physiotherapy is carried out by physical therapists (most commonly referred to as physiotherapists).
Physiotherapy studies a person’s history and conduct physical tests to derive medical conclusion, which forms the basis for a detailed diagnosis to establish a management plan and when necessary incorporates the results of medical experiments performed in various laboratories around the world.
Physicians like Greek Hippocrates and Galen are believed to be the first practitioners of physiotherapy.
Modern physiotherapy came into being during the end of the 19th century. During the First World War in 1916, women were hired to take care and restore the physical functions of injured soldiers. In 1974, the International Federation of Orthopedic Manipulative Physical Therapists was formed, which has played a major role in the constant up gradation of Physical therapy worldwide.
Types of Ailments that can be cured by physiotherapy:
- Muscular pain: The muscular pain caused by sprain stretching or heavy lifting is by far the most common muscle pain among the people. It may include back ache, lower back ache, shoulder sprain, etc. Physiotherapy can help reduce stiffness and ease pain. It can facilitate healing and rehabilitation.
- Arthritis: Arthritis tends to develop as a symptom of a person’s growing age. It may cause pain and stiffness in the joints like knees, ankles, and shoulders. Physiotherapy can ease the stiffness and pain.
- Respiratory Problems: The most common form of respiratory problems is cystic fibrosis. It is a condition that affects the lungs and digestive system can be helped by physiotherapy.
- Rehabilitation: The process of rehabilitation and recovery is instrumental for the well being of an individual that has suffered from serious medical condition or a fatal injury. Pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation schemes are employed by physical therapists worldwide to increase the blood circulation, building of muscle strength and restoring normal bodily functions.
Types of physiotherapy devices commonly used are:
- Hydro therapy equipment
- Electric therapy equipment
- Heat and Cold therapy equipment
- Treatment equipment
- Exercise equipment
- Shoulder, arm and hand equipment
- Leg, knee and foot equipment
- Suspension equipment
- Traction aid equipment
Future of PT
A systematic study conducted in 2012 found the proof and recommended the use of spinal manipulation by physiotherapists as a safe treatment for providing relief from lower back ache. A systematic review in 2015 implied to the fact that spinal treatment and therapeutic massages are very effective procedures for relieving shoulder ache. The same study argued, however, that some other sorts of therapies and treatments used by the physical therapists are not very apt and certified to cure pain, thus these should not be used for treatment of neck ache.
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