What is Physiotherapy?
In simple words, we can say physiotherapy to be that treatment method that focuses on the science of movements, helping to restore or rehabilitate the physical strength, maintain and maximize functions and motions of the overall body.
The Origin of Physiotherapy
Hypocrates and Galen physicians were the first physiotherapists, who practiced The Science Of Physiotherapy in the era of 400BC. They used to work with advocating massage, manual therapy techniques, and hydrotherapy to treat their patients.
Later with the development of orthopedics in the 18th century, machines like Gymnasticon were built to treat Gout and other similar conditions through systematic exercises for joints, which was similar to the other progress in physiotherapy.
The professional origin of physiotherapy dated back to Per Henrik Ling – “Father of Swedish Gymnastics“, who founded the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics (RCIG) in 1813 for manipulation, exercise, and massage. Which got the official registration by Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare in the year 1887.
This recognition by Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare for the physiotherapists brought the other countries to suit the same. In 1984, the four nurses from Great Britain founded the “Chartered Society Of Physiotherapy”.
Similarly, there were more institutes built to upraise the growth and development in the field of physiotherapy. In 1913, “The School Of Physiotherapy“ at the University of Otago in New-Zealand was built. “The Reed College“ in Portland, Oregon was formed which graduated “Reconstruction Aides” in 1914.
United States was the first to publish Research on Physiotherapy in The PT Review and also formed the “American Physical Therapy Association” in 1921. Later, in 1924 physiotherapy was treated as a medication for Polio, which involved massage and exercises.
After 1950, the physiotherapists started their practices outside the premises of hospitals by being present around the consumers or patients through clinics, medical centers, and institutes for physiotherapy education, etc.
Specialization in Physiotherapy was introduced by the United States in 1974 and for those physical therapists specializing in orthopedics, the Orthopedic Department under the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) was formed. The International Federation of Orthopedic Manipulative Physical Therapists was formed in the same year and since then, it played a major role in formalizing the physiotherapy profession globally.
Developments From Then To Now
Based on the requests of the house of delegates dating back to the mid-1960s, APTA and participating components began to celebrate the Physical Therapy Week in the 1980s it was first celebrated in the weeks of July month, later it moved to October. With the theme – “Back Into Action With Physical Therapy” the first National Physical Therapy month was celebrated in October 1992.
The Goal of NTPA was to collaborate with the components to engage with local communities and educate the consumers about, How the Physical Therapy can help them to keep Physical Fitness and Strength rejuvenating along with the growing age.
In the year 2000, APTA started to target more on strategic changes and adopted Vision 2020 as a new path for the profession. This vision consisted of 6 elements with the goal of achieving leadership by 2020. The following are the 6 elements:- Direct Access, Evidence-Based Practice, Professionalism, Doctoring Profession, Autonomous Practice, and Practitioner of Choice.
APTA organized physical therapy conferences – International Summit On Direct Access And Advanced Scope of Practice In Physical Therapy in October 2009. This conference was organized by APTA to widespread the knowledge of advanced models of physical therapist practice both in the United States and internationally and included the participants from more than 20 countries.
Physical Therapists from around the world started giving their best practice and consumers or patients through direct access to them got the privilege of getting safe and better results in health outcomes, higher patient satisfaction, timely care or treatment, and moreover benefits of lower costs for all health systems either private or public.
Now by the end of 2020 physiotherapy has widespread its approach or interference into many different areas. Namely:
- Respiratory Physiotherapy On Wards and Intensive Care Units
- Neurological Physiotherapy
- Musculoskeletal Outpatients
- Orthopedics
- Pediatrics
- Sports Physiotherapy With Elite Athletes
- Ergonomics
FAQs:
1. Why do I need a Physiotherapist?
Physiotherapists are referred to as the Primary Health Care Providers – responsible for providing care to all patients. They help to boost a patient’s muscular energy back and generate a good body with a better intensity of working than previously through regular treatment with massage, manipulation, and physical exercises.
2. Do I need a Doctor’s prescription or reference for physiotherapy?
Physiotherapists don’t need any prescription or reference letter by any doctors to treat a patient. They treat their patients being primary health care providers to them.
3. What should I be wearing on my appointment with a physiotherapist?
Always wear something comfortable on your visit to a physiotherapist. It is advisable to carry shorts with you, if you’re heading to physiotherapists for lower back pain, hip pain, knee, ankle, or a foot pain and tank top/vest – if you’re dealing with issues around the neck, upper back, shoulder, elbow, or hand.
4. Do you offer Home Therapy Treatments too?
Home therapy treatments are generally arranged for those patients who are disabled and cannot walk or reach physiotherapists for their treatment. However, depending on the circumstances justified this facility can be given to others too.
5. Can I claim for medical insurance while billing for physiotherapy treatment?
Yes, one can claim for medical insurance while billing for physiotherapy treatment taken. But there are some contradictions to it, i.e., you must take the permission or approval from your insurance company for the treatment at first. Based on the data or permission given, the physiotherapists will send the billing information to the insurance company.
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