WORLD PHYSIOTHERAPY DAY ((SEPTEMBER-8,2010))

WORLD PHYSIOTHERAPY DAY
((SEPTEMBER-8,2010))

Physiotherapy is a system of treatment using physical modalities for curing and prevention of diseases without drugs and side effects. Physiotherapy has a broad field of application from ‘womb to tomb’ It is found to be very effective for diseased in all branches of modern medicine either directly or in association with medical management. It is one of the oldest forms of treatment having its history from the time of world war itself, founded to rehabilitate the injured soldiers during the war.
Apart from curing the disease, physiotherapy has a major rolein the prevention of many diseases especially in sports, neuromes culoskeletal, cardiothoracic and geriatrics. It also help to improve the quality of life, work efficiency and promotes healthy aging. In ICU management, Critical Care and trauma care, Physiotherapy has found a vital role. In its ancient crude form, Physotherapy was not identified as a system of treatment and Physiotherapists were considered as massagers. Later the uses of electrotherapy modalities were developed. Now it has became a hand-skilled art of healing with scientific background and medical knowledge.
Now the system has grown more effective with techniques like Manipulative therapy, nerve mobilization,myofacial release, muscle energy techniques, dynamic and static taping and approaches like movement therapy, motor relearning programmes,neuro facilitation and inhibition techniques, functional electrical stimulation etc. the new developments mentioned have made Physiotherapists to be considered as unique independent Professionals. They have sound knowledge on the detailed anatomical and physiological aspects and other medical subjects. Along with the knowledge, prolonged practical training and clinical exposures enables them to diagnose and treat with physical modalities and to identify areas which need to be referred to other specialists.
Physiotherapy is based on the grounds of allopathic concept for diagnosis and physical modalities for treatment purpose. Physiotherapy has wide areas of specialization in Orthopedics, Neurology, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Sports, Hand rehabilitation; Community based rehabilitation and also PhD Programmes.
It is university accepted as a drugless system of treatment. All physiotherapy Association are strongly against unauthorized drug practices, Quackery practices etc and urges its members to maintain the individuality of the system as a complete drugless form of treatment. Now the physiotherapists are respected and appreciated by other medical professionals and the society due to its applicability and lack of side effects.
World Physiotherapist’s Day fall on 8th September every year and it is an opportunity for physiotherapists all over the world to raise awareness about their crucial role in keeping people pain free, mobile and independent. The day was established by WCPT in 1996 and marks the date on which WCPT was founded in Copenhagen in Denmark. Now WCPT is having 101 member organizations collectively representing more than 3, 50,000 Physiotherapists all over the world. In case of aging adults, Physiotherapy is the most effective treatment which can prevent and treat chronic disease and disability through prescribed activity and movement.
Physiotherapists can help them to stay healthy and independent and can improve the health of those with chronic health problems by teaching them how to exercise effectively and safely. Activity has to be introduced carefully, if a person is unfit, older or has a chronic disease.
Here Physiotherapists examine the person, evaluates, recommend exercise that are safe and appropriate for them and educate them how to check and understand the warning signs of trouble.
The world Physiotherapy day is also a day for the Physiotherapists to dedicate themselves to health care profession and to uphold the sanctity and purity of this system of treatment
Reference: Dr Sreejith Nampoothiri-“Hindu”

Prof. JohnKurakar