Abba Muhammad Tawfiq
The only pervading impression that evokes the hearts of laymen anytime Physiotherapy is enunciated is mockingly “massage”. To put it in a nutshell, this weakens the inner strength of those who are offered admission into the prestigious profession to study with zeal and vigour with some changing to medical or other health related courses.
Physiotherapy as healthcare profession uses a variety of techniques and Physical modalities for the management/Rehabilitation of patients. The nuts and blots that keep the techniques and modalities of Physiotherapy practice buoyantly floating in the management of patients is the scientific evidence. As such, it is a huge task upon Physiotherapists in broader sense to equip themselves with the knowledge desired to rise to the challenge maintaining a proper image of the profession at all times and in all places.
The inception of Physiotherapy and the inculcation of its practices and services in the management of patients with respect to their specific manifesting conditions have conferred a safely noninvasive means of patients care on the healthcare system. With this, we can beautifully say Physiotherapy as “therapeutic form of physical medicine that encompasses examinations, diagnosis, treatment advice and instructions to any person preparatory to or for the purpose of or in connection with movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, physical disorder, impairment and disability, healing of pain from trauma and disease.
Physical and mental conditions using physical agents, active physiological movement (exercise) manipulative therapy (mobilization, manipulation Massage) mechanical and electrotherapy which include shortwave diathermy, TENS, Therapeutic Ultrasound for the purpose of diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
To spare us a more specific and comprehensive definition, Physiotherapy is defined by the American Physiotherapy Association (APTA) as “a dynamic healthcare profession with an established scientific and theoritical base and widespread clinical application in the restoration, maintainance and promotion of optimal physical health.
DISTINCTIVE ROLES PLAYED BY PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
Physiotherapists play a pivotal roles in the healthcare of people across all age groups with myriads of clinical conditions. It caters across preventive, curative and Rehabilitation, treatment of diseases and movement related dysfunction by physical and mechanical means. Also utilizes set of goals, oriented actions designed to restore following disease or injury, the ability to function in a normal or near normal manner in order to maximize independence in individual with comprised function (at home, in the community or at work) due to primary pathological process and resultant impairmentps.
Physical Rehabilitation focuses primarily on sequelae that impact physical functioning and activity, utilizing interventions that are safe, non invasive and physical nature to promote progress towards functional goals. According to Guide PTs, “diagnose and manage movement dysfunction and enhance physical and functional abilities (APTA, 2002).
Physiotherapists restore, maintain and promote not only optimal physical function but optimal wellness and fitness and optimal quality of life as it relates to movement and health “. They also “Prevent the onset, symptoms and progression of impairments, functional limitations and disabilities that may result from diseases, disorders, conditions and injuries”.
The roles of Physiotherapists within the interdisciplinary group (Physicians, surgeons, nurses, nutritionist occupational therapists, social workers, psychologist, speech therapist) is well defined with respect to various clinical conditions”. (Copied).
Physiotherapists use individuals history, physical examination, and when necessary incorporate the results of laboratory and imaging like CT scan, X-rays or MRI findings to arrive at diagnosis that is consistent with the patient’s chief complain and establish a normal or near normal pre injury state of health. Contrary to conventional medicine and or surgery, thus understating their mayhem implications on the human system, Physiotherapists have been instrumental in fighting pain, impairment and disability that result to deformity and sailed through their tireless efforts in the restitution of mobility and function in patients with neuromuscloskeletal deterioration following infection, surgery and trauma which prevent them from perfectly executing their daily activities of living.
Physiotherapists ensure full scale of restoration of balance and coordination, improvement of muscle performance (power/strength, endurance) and function from the peak of severity to normal or near normal which cannot be attained merely by the use of drugs.
Physiotherapists remarkably enhance the health, welfare and quality of life from healing to injury prevention as they facilitate risk factors modification through good posture training among workers as well as educating and warning strictly against the bad ones which may lead to functional comprise. As such, one does not have to fall sick before seeking their services and consultation.
Physiotherapists therefore are dynamic healthcare professionals, growing from strength to strength, with developing countries including Nigeria which has recently commenced Doctor Of Physical Therapy (DPT) programme in order to elevate the standard of Physiotherapy Training to satisfy the knowledge and dexterities demand in the management of diseases and scale up all the necessary areas of specializations and match international practices.
8th September– World Physiotherapy Day to Commemorate.
Abba Muhammad Tawfiq
500L Physiotherapy student
University Of Maiduguri
