Introduction to physiotherapy

Introduction
to
Physiotherapy
Dr Akshay Shetty
Asst. Professor
Dept of Panchakarma
SSRAMCH Inchal

Contents
• Objectives
• Definition
• Brief Introduction of
Physiotherapy
• History of Physiotherapy
• Areas of Physiotherapy
• Utility of Physiotherapy
• Importance of Physiotherapy
• Summary
• References
07-05-2020 Introduction to Physiotheraphy (Dr Akshay Shetty) 2

Objectives
By the end of the presentation the learners
must be able
1. To know the Definition of Physiotherapy
2. To understand the brief Introduction of
Physiotherapy
3. To know the History of Physiotherapy
4. To know the Areas of Physiotherapy
5. To know the utility of Physiotherapy
6. To know the Importance of Physiotherapy

Definition
Physiotherapy, is one of the allied
health professions that, by using mechanical
force and movements (bio-mechanics or
kinesiology), manual therapy, exercise therapy,
and electrotherapy, remediates impairments
and promotes mobility and function.
Physiotherapy is also known as Physical
therapy, Physiatrics , Rehabilitation therapy.
The person who studies physiotherapy
and takes it as profession is called as physio
therapist, physical therapist.
07-05-2020 Introduction to Physiotherapy (Dr Akshay Shetty) 4

Brief Introduction
• Physical therapy attempts to address the illnesses, or injuries that limit a person's
abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.
• 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 like X-rays, CT-scan, or MRI findings.
Electrodiagnostic testing (e.g., [electromyograms] and nerve conduction velocity
testing) may also be used.

Contd…
• PT management commonly includes prescription of or assistance with specific
exercises, manual therapy and manipulation, mechanical devices such as traction,
education, physical agents which includes heat, cold, electricity, sound waves,
radiation, assistive devices, prostheses, orthoses and other interventions.
• 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.

History
• Physicians like Hippocrates and later Galen are
believed to have been the first practitioners of
physical therapy, advocating massage, manual
therapy techniques and hydrotherapy to treat
people in 460 BC.
• After the development of orthopaedics in the
eighteenth century, machines like the
Gymnasticon were developed to treat gout and
similar diseases by systematic exercise of the
joints, similar to later developments in physical
therapy.

Contd…
• The earliest documented origins of actual physical therapy as a professional group
date back to Per Henrik Ling, "Father of Swedish Gymnastics," who founded the Royal
Central Institute of Gymnastics (RCIG) in 1813 for manipulation, and exercise.
• Modern physical therapy was established towards the end of the 19th century due to
events that had an effect on a global scale, which called for rapid advances in physical
therapy.
• During the First World War women were recruited to work with and restore physical
function to injured soldiers, and the field of physical therapy was institutionalized.
• In 1918 the term "Reconstruction Aide" was used to refer to individuals practicing
physical therapy.

Areas of PT

Utility
• Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation respiratory practitioners and physical
therapists offer therapy for a wide variety of cardiopulmonary disorders or pre and
post cardiac or pulmonary surgery.
• An example of cardiac surgery is coronary bypass surgery. Primary goals of this
specialty include increasing endurance and functional independence.
• Pulmonary disorders, heart attacks, post coronary bypass surgery, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, and pulmonary fibrosis, treatments can benefit from
cardiovascular and pulmonary specialized physical therapists.

Cont…
• Clinical electrophysiology ;This specialty area includes electrotherapy/physical agents,
electrophysiological evaluation (EMG/NCV), physical agents, and wound management.
• Geriatric physical therapy covers a wide area of issues concerning people as they go
through normal adult aging but is usually focused on the older adult. There are many
conditions that affect many people as they grow older and include but are not limited
to the following: arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, hip and joint
replacement, balance disorders, incontinence, etc.

Contd….
• Integumentary physical therapy includes the treatment of conditions involving
the skin and all its related organs. Common conditions managed include
wounds and burns.
• Neurological physical therapy is a field focused on working with individuals
who have a neurological disorder or disease. These can include stroke, chronic
back pain, Alzheimer's disease, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), ALS, brain
injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, facial palsy and
spinal cord injury.

Contd…
• Orthopaedic physical therapists
diagnose, manage, and treat disorders
and injuries of the musculoskeletal
system including rehabilitation after
orthopaedic surgery acute trauma such
as sprains, strains, injuries of insidious
onset such as tendinopathy, bursitis and
deformities like scoliosis.

Contd…
• Paediatric physical therapy assists in early
detection of health problems and uses a
variety of modalities to provide physical
therapy for disorders in the paediatric
population. These therapists are specialized
in the diagnosis, treatment, and
management of infants, children, and
adolescents with a variety of congenital,
developmental, neuromuscular, skeletal, or
acquired disorders/diseases.

Contd…
• Women's health physical therapy mostly addresses women's issues related to
the female reproductive system, child birth, and post-partum. These
conditions include lymphedema, osteoporosis, pelvic pain, prenatal and post-
partum periods, and urinary incontinence.

Contd….
Physical therapists are closely involved in the care and wellbeing of athletes This
area of practice encompasses athletic injury management under 5 main categories:
acute care – assessment and diagnosis of an initial injury;
treatment – application of specialist advice and techniques to encourage healing;
rehabilitation – progressive management for full return to sport
prevention – identification and address of deficiencies known to directly result in,
or act as precursors to injury, such as movement assessment
education – sharing of specialist knowledge to individual athletes, teams or clubs
to assist in prevention or management of injury

Importance of PT
• It helps in improving of Range of motion in cases like
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Frozen shoulder
Spondylosis
AS
Fractures

Contd…
• It helps in the management of pain in both acute and chronic resulting from
an accidents or injury .
• It aids in pain management improving the quality of life.
• It is helpful in rehabilitation after surgery injuries and post operative cases in
sports.
• It helps in improving the quality of life.

Summary
Introduction &
Brief History of PT
Areas of PT
Utility of PT Importance of PT
Definition

References
• Textbook of Therapeautic Exercises ,Narayanan.
• www.physiotheraphy.in

Thank you

Introduction to physiotherapy

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