Prof. Deniz Demirci, Head of the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department at Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, evaluated the expanding role of physiotherapy, from preventive health services to healthy aging, and from neurological diseases to technological rehabilitation applications, on the occasion of September 8 World Physiotherapy Day.
“We may need physiotherapy not only after something happens but also before a problem arises”
Prof. Deniz Demirci stated that physiotherapy should not be considered merely a method applied after illness, injury, or surgery, saying, “We should not think of physiotherapy only as a treatment applied after an illness, injury, or surgery. In fact, physiotherapy has an important place in terms of preventive health. By assessing a person’s movement capacity, muscle strength, balance, and daily life habits, we can prevent some problems that might arise in the future. For someone who spends most of their day at a desk, regulating their movement habits and teaching them appropriate exercises, even before they have a serious complaint, is an important preventive approach. In other words, we may need physiotherapy not only 'after something happens' but also before a problem arises.”
Sedentary lifestyle increases musculoskeletal problems
Prof. Deniz Demirci stated that the time spent sedentary has increased with computers, phones, and other digital devices becoming central to daily life, saying, “Changes in our daily lives have significantly affected musculoskeletal problems. Spending long periods in front of computers and phones, not moving enough during the day, and working in the same position for extended periods particularly increase neck, back, and lower back complaints. What is noteworthy is that these problems no longer only appear in old age. We also see neck, back, and lower back pain more frequently in young adults and students. It is not enough to just say 'our posture is bad' here. I think one of the main issues we should focus on is how much we move during the day.”
“Not every exercise is suitable for everyone”
Prof. Deniz Demirci stated that it might be detrimental in some cases for individuals experiencing pain to self-apply exercises they see on digital media platforms, emphasizing that exercise should be planned according to the person's needs.
“Exercise is absolutely important and a very valuable treatment tool when used correctly,” Demirci continued:
“However, not every exercise is suitable for everyone. Pain in the same area does not mean that the cause of the pain is also the same. Therefore, applying a movement seen on social media just because it helped someone else may not be correct. Especially if there is severe or progressively increasing pain, numbness, loss of strength, or significant movement restriction, an evaluation should be done first. In short, it is not correct to say we don't recommend exercise; on the contrary, exercise must be applied to the right person, at the right time, and in the right way.”
Physiotherapy is not limited to orthopedic problems only
Prof. Deniz Demirci stated that physiotherapy and rehabilitation have a very broad field of work, adding that physiotherapy plays an important role not only in orthopedic problems but also in neurological diseases, sports injuries, aging, and chronic diseases.
Prof. Demirci said, “The scope of physiotherapy and rehabilitation is quite broad. In addition to orthopedic problems, we play an important role in neurological diseases such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, sports injuries, aging, and various chronic diseases. The goal here is not just to reduce pain. Enabling the person to maintain their daily life as independently as possible, to move, and to preserve their quality of life is just as important as reducing pain.”
Muscle strength and balance are key to healthy aging
Prof. Deniz Demirci stated that while muscle strength and balance may decrease with age, this does not necessarily have to lead to severe loss of movement, saying, “As we age, muscle strength and balance can decrease. However, this does not necessarily have to turn into a serious loss of movement. With regular and appropriate exercise, it is possible to maintain muscle strength, balance, and mobility for a long time. Falls, in particular, can lead to serious consequences in elderly individuals. Therefore, assessing balance, muscle strength, and walking capacity and planning necessary exercises is important. Our goal here is not just for the person to live longer, but to remain independent and active for as long as possible.”
Robotic rehabilitation, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence will be used more frequently
Prof. Deniz Demirci stated that the use of technology in the field of physiotherapy and rehabilitation is becoming increasingly widespread, expressing that robotic rehabilitation, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence applications will provide significant opportunities for physiotherapists in the future, saying, “I believe that the use of technology in physiotherapy will further increase in the coming period. Robotic rehabilitation, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence can provide us with important opportunities for evaluating patient movements, monitoring their progress, and customizing exercises according to the individual.”
“Technology will not replace the physiotherapist”
Emphasizing that technological developments are important for the future of the profession, but the human factor will continue to remain at the center of physiotherapy, Prof. Demirci said:
“But I don't think technology will replace the physiotherapist. It will rather be a tool that supports the physiotherapist’s evaluation and treatment process. Because it is necessary to evaluate the patient's movements, needs, expectations, and daily life as a whole. At this point, human communication and clinical experience are still very important.”
Noting that a physiotherapy approach that utilizes more technology and prioritizes personalized treatments will develop in the future, Prof. Deniz Demirci concluded his remarks as follows:
“I believe that in the coming years, a physiotherapy approach will develop where we will use more technology and apply more personalized treatments. However, the core principle will remain unchanged: to help people move and lead as independent a life as possible.”
