Physiotherapy as a profession, what it is about

                    INTRODUCTION 

It is quite sad why in this recent times, when physiotherapy has impacted so much on illnesses, pains, deformities, and disabilities, many populates do not know what physiotherapy is about.  Those who study physiotherapy becomes physiotherapist and physiotherapy technician depending on the level of qualification.
In the local entity, many people refer physiotherapist or physiotherapist technician as the "Doctors of bone" and for
some, they are  " Doctors of massage ".
These are all not the real work of the Two professionals.
It high time people are educated on what physiotherapy really entails.

People who get into the physiotherapy profession,as earlier stated are trained to become physiotherapist and physiotherapy technician with degree and diploma qualifications respectively.

DEFINITION OF PHYSIOTHERAPY 

Physiotherapy as a profession, gathers non-invasive techniques involving exercises, education and use of  specialized modalities, in the treatment of Neuro-musculoskeletal conditions.
Thus, conditions that affect the central nervous system; Brain and nerves(Neuro conditions), conditions that affect the muscles (Muscular conditions) and those that affect the skeleton (skeletal condition).

What's special about physiotherapy is that the profession restores function by promoting mobility.
The fact is that, mostly, neuromusculoskeletal conditions presents with impairments such as muscular weakness(atrophy, dystrophy) diminished sensation, movement problems (spastic, ataxia, jerky), Pains, joint problems (stiffness, hypermobile, hypomobile) etc and each of this can reduce the activity level of an individual.
Such individuals cannot move without muscular strength, normal joint ROM, Coordination, balance, intact cognition  and others.

There is no medication to restore muscular strength, balance and coordination, normal ROM and other impairment that would restrict mobility. However,  physical means are required  in such situations. Hence, the essence of  physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy uses physical means to treat impairment that restrict mobility and function.

Know that,  it's not true that physiotherapy only deals with bones and massages as they are referred to by many populates. But works beyond that...
Physiotherapy can intervene in conditions such as those that affect the brain, muscles, and the  skeleton. Massage is an added technique used by physiotherapy in assisting management of an existing impairment.


PHYSIOTHERAPY CONDITIONS 

A list of some physiotherapy conditions
-Stroke
-Parkinson's disease or shaking palsy
-Cerebral palsy
-Erb's palsy
-Klumpke's palsy
-Mental retardation
-Dementia
-Facial palsy
-Down syndrome
-Osteogenesis imperfecta
-Scoliosis
Kyphosis
Sway back
Lordorsis
Torticollis
Amyloidoses
Marfan syndrome
De quervains tenosynovitis (Game keeper's hand)
Developmental delay
Spina bifida
Clubfoot
General pain (low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, ankle pain, head ache etc)
Fractures
Buruli ulcers
Burns
Hunstington's disease
Leprosy
Genu valgum and varus
Genu recavatum
Alzheimer's disease
Meningitis

And many more.

In conclusion, physiotherapy does not only treat skeletal deformities and massages,  as many people know, but intervene entirely  in most conditions that may cause functional limitation And participation restriction.

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