Physiotherapy is a health care profession that uses physical methods to promote healing and rehabilitation from injury or illness. Physiotherapists work to improve movement and manage pain through techniques like exercise, manual therapy, education, and electrotherapy modalities. There are many specialties within physiotherapy including orthopedics, neurology, cardiopulmonary care, sports medicine, pediatrics, and geriatrics. Physiotherapists diagnose and treat movement dysfunctions from a variety of medical conditions to help patients restore function and maximize quality of life.

1. PHYSIOTHERAPY
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION
ANWESH PRADHAN
MPT (Neurological & Psychosomatic Disorders)
Asst. Professor, Nopany Institute of Healthcare Studies
Consultant Physiotherapist, Mobility Physiotherapy &
Rehabilitation

2. PHYSIOTHERAPY or PHYSICAL
THERAPY
 Physical therapy (or physiotherapy),
often abbreviated PT, is a health
care profession. Physical therapy is
concerned with identifying and
maximizing quality of life and movement
potential within the spheres of promotion,
prevention, diagnosis,
treatment/intervention, habilitation and
rehabilitation. This encompasses
physical, psychological, emotional, and
social well being.
Anwesh,2013

3. PHYSIOTHERAPY or PHYSICAL
THERAPY
 Physiotherapy is a type of medical
science which is used to improve
movement dysfunctions, Pain problems,
illness/disease, post traumatic/surgical
problems, to promote the functions of
human body and optimal health.
Physiotherapy is an important part of
Rehabilitation dedicated to minimize
disability among people. It involves the
maintenance, assessment, restoration of
the physical functions and body
Anwesh,2013

4. PHYSIOTHERAPY or PHYSICAL
THERAPY
 Physiotherapy is mainly recommended for the
physically challenged people, the people suffering
from degenerative and orthopedic disorders like
arthritis, neurological disorders, cardiothoracic &
respiratory problems, pediatric & Obstetrics and
gynecological problems and sports persons. It is
one of the rapidly growing areas of medicine.
 The Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession
which deals with movement disorders of the body
arising from certain conditions or illnesses.
Because of its less side effects Physiotherapy has
become popular among the intellectual people of
our society.
Anwesh,2013

5. PHYSIOTHERAPIST or PHYSICAL
THERAPIST
 Physical therapy is performed by a physical
therapist (PT) or physiotherapist (physio).
 PTs are healthcare professionals who diagnose
and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to
the very oldest, who have medical problems or
other health-related conditions, illnesses, or
injuries that limit their abilities to move and
perform functional activities as well as they would
like in their daily lives
 Physical therapy involves the interaction
between physical therapist, patients/clients,
other health professionals, families, care givers,
and communities in a process where movement
potential is assessed and diagnosed, goals are
agreed upon, using knowledge and skills unique to
physical Anwesh,2013

6. PHYSIOTHERAPIST or PHYSICAL
THERAPIST
 PTs use an individual's history
and physical examination to arrive at
a diagnosis and establish a management
plan and, when necessary, incorporate
the results of laboratory and imaging
studies. Electrodiagnostic testing
(e.g., electromyograms and nerve
conduction velocity testing) may also be
of assistance
 PT management commonly includes
prescription of or assistance with specific
exercises, manual therapy, education,
manipulation and other interventions.
Anwesh,2013

7. PHYSIOTHERAPIST or PHYSICAL
THERAPIST
 In addition, PTs work with individuals to
prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs
by developing fitness and wellness-oriented
programs for healthier and more active
lifestyles, providing services to individuals
and populations to develop, maintain and
restore maximum movement and functional
ability throughout the lifespan. This includes
providing services in circumstances where
movement and function are threatened by
aging, injury, disease or environmental
factors. Functional movement is central to
what it means to be healthy.
Anwesh,2013

8. Anwesh,2013

9. Specialties in Physiotherapy
 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Orthopedics):
This is concerned with muscles, bones, and joints.
It involves treating acute or chronic conditions
such as arthritis, bursitis, spasms, sprains, strains,
and tendonitis, and improved rehabilitation
following injury or surgery. Orthopedic
physiotherapists diagnose, manage, and treat
disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal
system as well as rehabilitation after orthopedic
surgery. Joint mobilizations, strength training,
hot/cold packs, Wax bath, Electrotherapy
modalities like electrical stimulation, Ultrasound,
IFT, TENS, SWD are often used to expedite
recovery in the orthopedic setting.
Anwesh,2013

10. Specialties in Physiotherapy
 Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy: This is concerned
mainly with the function of the cardio respiratory
system. Primary goals of this specialty include
increasing endurance and functional independence.
Manual therapy is utilized in this field to assist in
clearing lung secretions experienced with various
cardio respiratory disorders. Cardiothoracic
physiotherapists mainly work in hospitals or
rehabilitation clinics, treating patients with chronic
obstructive diseases of the airways (such as asthma,
chronic bronchitis, or emphysema) or providing
improved rehabilitation for patients following any
general, cardiac, or thoracic surgery. They may also
assist with the recovery of patients in intensive care
units (ICU).
Anwesh,2013

11. Specialties in Physiotherapy
 Neurological Physiotherapy: Neurological
physiotherapy is a discipline concerned with disorders
of the nervous system; neurological physiotherapists
assess the impact of neurological conditions (like
Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson's disease or multiple
sclerosis) and neurological trauma (such as head or
spinal injuries, strokes, or brain surgery) on patients'
normal bodily functions and movements. Common
symptoms of neurological disorders include paralysis,
vision impairment, poor balance, inability to ambulate,
and loss of functional independence. Therapists work
to improve these areas of dysfunction. They also
design and implement strategies that can assist in the
recovery of normal function, usually in conjunction
with other medical or health care professionals.
Anwesh,2013

12. Specialties in Physiotherapy
 Pediatric physiotherapy: It assists in early
detection of health problems and uses a wide
variety of modalities to treat disorders in the
pediatric population. Physiotherapists work on the
diagnosis, treatment, and management of infants,
children, and adolescents with a variety of
congenital, developmental, neuromuscular,
skeletal, or acquired disorders/diseases.
Treatments focus on improving gross and fine
motor skills, balance and coordination, strength
and endurance as well as cognitive and sensory
processing/integration. Children with
developmental delays, cerebral palsy, spina bifida,
or torticollis, may be treated by pediatric
physiotherapists.
Anwesh,2013

13. Specialties in Physiotherapy
 Sports Physiotherapy: This is
concerned with sports related injury,
maintenance of fitness as well as
improvement of sports strategy. This
specialization covers topics related
with sports, musculoskeletal,
anthropometry; cardiopulmonary
emphasizing on special techniques
like sports taping, sports massage, on
field management of injury.
Anwesh,2013

14. Specialties in Physiotherapy
 Geriatric Physiotherapy: It covers a wide area of
issues concerning people as they go through
normal physiological aging, but is usually focused
on the elders’. There are many conditions that
affect people as they grow older and include
arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer's
disease, hip and joint replacement, balance
disorders, incontinence, etc. Geriatric
physiotherapy helps those affected by such
problems in developing a specialized program to
help restore mobility, reduce pain, and increase
fitness levels.
Anwesh,2013

15. Specialties in Physiotherapy
 Gynecology and Obstetrics Physiotherapy:
Physiotherapy in Obstetrics takes a form of
programmed course as Antenatal and Postnatal
physiotherapy. It involves guidance for appropriate
posture sense, back care, lifting, neuromuscular
tension control, various pain relieving treatments.
The Postnatal exercises have importance in
regaining fitness and preventing long term
problems such as abdominal weakness, backache
and stress incontinence. Physiotherapy post
Caesarean section aims at preventing
complications, relieving pain and fastening the
healing process.
Anwesh,2013

16. Specialties in Physiotherapy
 Dermatology and Cosmetic Physiotherapy: This
field deals with sensitive issues as patients with skin
lesions do not receive support from the public. Various
skin lesions like Psoriasis, Vitiligo, Alopecia,
Polymorphic light eruptions, Hyperhydrosis; Acne etc
can be effectively treated with Physiotherapy.
Electromagnetic radiations form the successful part of
treatment along with counseling. Physiotherapy plays
a very important role in rehabilitation of Burn patients
both in wards and in OPD.The role involves prevention
of respiratory complications and contractures,
maintain joint range and muscle strength, regain
maximum function after skin grafting. Various types of
Ulcers tend to heal quicker with intelligent choice of
Physiotherapeutic treatment.
Anwesh,2013

17. Specialties in Physiotherapy
 Intensive care Physiotherapy: It includes the care of
whole patient i.e. his respiratory care, postural care,
maintenance of full joint mobility and muscle
extensibility. In ICU, ITU, NICCU, CCU, etc,
Physiotherapist act in a team approach.Extubation of
a Ventilated patient (Weaning) is a major part of
Intensive care Physiotherapy. When Vitals and Arterial
Blood Gases are within normal limits, patients are
weaned off ventilator under close supervision. For
quicker recovery of patients prevention of ICU related
complications e.g. Deep Vein Thrombosis, Pulmonary
embolism, Pressure sores, Respiratory distress,
Musculoskeletal wasting etc are included in
Physiotherapeutic domain.
Anwesh,2013

18. Specialties in Physiotherapy
 Psychosomatic Physiotherapy: Psychosomatic
treatment is designed for patients with emotionally
conditioned, somatic symptoms, such as headache,
backache, neck, shoulder, arm pains, postural
disorders and inhibited respiration. The
physiotherapeutic part of the treatment
(psychosomatic physiotherapy) is based on a
comprehensive view of the muscular apparatus and
functioning as a whole with emphasis on correction of
postural disorders and liberation of respiration. It
includes close cooperation with the physician, who
may be called upon when emotional inhibition
impedes further progress of the
physiotherapy. Patients with clear psychiatric
symptoms are treated only if anchored in a secure
psychotherapeutic situation.
Anwesh,2013

19. Thank you…
Anwesh,2013