PHYSIOTHERAPY & HEALTH

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a therapeutic health profession concerned with enhancing mobility and quality of life by using clinical reasoning to deliver the most suitable treatment for an injury or condition. Physiotherapists help people gain as much movement and physical independence as possible so they can resume their normal job or lifestyle. Physiotherapists assess, diagnose and treat people with movement problems. They also deliver patient education and help people avoid injuries and maintain a fit, healthy body.

Physiotherapy services are available to the community in a number of settings: private practice; sports facilities; hospitals; schools and universities; public health organisations; community centres; aged care facilities; and workplaces.

How does it work?

Physiotherapy integrates clinical expertise with evidence-based research. Physiotherapists are trained to assess the underlying causes of joint, muscle and nerve disorder, educate patients about managing their condition, and advise ways to prevent pain and injury. Often, a personal exercise program is prescribed.

Physiotherapists use a wide range of drug-free techniques to relieve pain, restore function and movement, and prevent further problems, including:

• Joint mobilisation and manipulation
• Therapeutic exercise and stretches
• Electrophysical agents (such as hot packs, ice & ultrasound)
• Soft tissue massage
• Breathing exercises & techniques

As a profession, physiotherapists work within a framework of empowering the individual, carer or the community through education and the promotion of self-management of health and wellbeing.

Conditions commonly treated

Physiotherapists are involved in helping people of all ages, from young infants to the elderly, and commonly treat people suffering back or neck pain, other muscular pain and sports injuries.

Physiotherapy is also applied in the management of a wide variety of other conditions, including: neurological illness such as stroke and Parkinson’s Disease; movement disorders in children; rehabilitation after major injury; headaches; incontinence; and recovery following surgery and child birth.

Physiotherapy also plays a central role in the management and prevention of chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, arthritis and cardiovascular disease.

What qualifications?

Physiotherapists are university educated health practitioners, with entry to the profession being at either Bachelors or Masters Degree level. Many physiotherapists undertake further qualifications at Masters level in specialist clinical areas or research higher degrees at Masters or Doctoral level. Clinical Doctorate programs are being offered for the first time in 2006.