PT Weekly: Introduction to World Physiotherapy Day

World Physiotherapy Day is celebrated every year on the 8th of September and is organized by the World Confederation for Physiotherapy . It is a day set aside for Physiotherapists from all over the world to create awareness about the important roles and contributions the profession makes to keeping people well, mobile and independent.

The day marks the unity and solidarity of the global physiotherapy community. It is an opportunity to recognise the work that physiotherapists do for their patients and community. Using World Physical Therapy Day as a focus, WCPT aims to support member organisations in their efforts to promote the profession and advance their expertise.

Physiotherapists help people regain mobility, strength and independence at various levels, through manual force, mechanical force, exercise therapy, and modalities. They also help restore body functions.

Physiotherapists are an asset to the allied health professions because they can reduce the need for surgeries, reduce the long-term use of painkiller medications and reduce and prevent both physical and mental complications that could arise in a patient.

Why must we celebrate Physiotherapists

The human body is remarkably easy to damage and break, especially when participating in strenuous physical activity such as sporting or athletic activity.

Physiotherapists work towards undoing these damages, giving adequate and appropriate education on healthy behaviour and restoring lost or impaired functions.
There are several reasons why these set of professionals should be well celebrated, among which are but not limited to:

1. Help people living with pain
2. Give people reason to be happy and outgoing again
3. Improve quality of life of an individual
4. Prevent all sort of injuries to the body
5. Improve and maintain functional capacity of individuals

Signs and symptoms that you may need Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is not just treatment reserved for a set of people or even for those recovering from injury. You don’t have to be severely debilitated to benefit from physiotherapy. In fact, it can be used to improve anyone’s health and general wellbeing.

If you have physical pain or discomfort, then these could be good indicators that some therapy would benefit you enormously.

Below are some signs that you need physiotherapy:
1. Loss of balance and coordination
2. Work related musculoskeletal problems (ie. stiff or sore back or neck)
3. Persistent /constant pain
4. Reduced joint movement/stiffness
5. Urinary incontinence (the uncontrolled passing of urine)
6. Mobility issues
7. Disturbed sleep
8. Neurological disorders
9. Headache

Things you may not know about Physiotherapy

Many of us who haven’t experienced physiotherapy first-hand, or simply don’t know a lot about it or what it involves, may be surprised at the complexities of physiotherapy and the range of treatments it covers.

Some may assume it is a few stretches and exercises for those who have injured their muscles through sports, but it is so much more than that! Physiotherapy covers a wide range of treatments to help restore movement and reduce pain for people who have been affected by an injury, illness or disability.

As well as being used to prevent injuries in the future, typically, physiotherapy is used to treat the following:

1. Bones, muscles and joints, such as sports injuries, or back, neck and shoulder pain
2. The brain and nervous system, such as problems following a stroke, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease or related conditions
3. You don’t need a doctor’s referral to see a Physiotherapist. if you think you need to see a Physiotherapist, give PCA a call and discuss your needs.
4. We understand the body mechanics very well.
5. We are not just about helping you recover from aches and pains. We are also an integral part of recovery after surgery.
6. We provide treatment for lung conditions (like chronic bronchitis, asthma, emphysema or pneumonia) and we can help manage neurological conditions (i.e. Parkinson’s and MS).
7. We attend to babies and children and their diverse conditions too.