Physiotherapy, a health profession aimed at evaluating, improving, and maintaining physical function, aims to enhance the quality of life by eliminating problems arising from various causes. Experts stated that physiotherapy applications, which reduce or eliminate pain, decrease the need for surgery, improve mobility, and contribute to regaining lost function and movement after a stroke.
Physiotherapy applications are effective in improving quality of life
In all countries that are members of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, September 8 is celebrated as World Physical Therapists' Day. The World Confederation for Physical Therapy accepted September 8, which was the date of the confederation's first official meeting in 1996, as World Physical Therapy Day.
Prof. Dr. Deniz Demirci, Head of the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences, made a statement evaluating the importance of physiotherapy on the occasion of September 8, World Physical Therapists' Day.
Noting that physiotherapy is a health profession aimed at evaluating, improving, and maintaining physical function, Prof. Dr. Deniz Demirci said, “Physiotherapy includes comprehensive assessments of individuals with musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiopulmonary problems before, during, and after treatment, the evaluation findings, the interventions applied, and the evaluation of the results of these interventions.”
Physical therapists aim to improve quality of life
Stating that physiotherapy is concerned with promoting health and well-being, and with preventing, treating, or rehabilitating impairments or dysfunctions in human movement, Prof. Dr. Deniz Demirci said, “Movement disorders can result from congenital deformity, disease, trauma, misuse, non-use, or emotional or physical deprivation arising from any disability. Since movement disorders are associated with difficulties in performing functional activities, the primary goal of physiotherapy is often to help patients in the restoration of normal function or in achieving their maximum potential. To achieve this goal, physical therapists aim to reduce pain, improve balance, enhance muscle strength and motor control, develop cardiovascular fitness, improve respiratory function, or increase joint range.”
A personalized plan is created
Stating that physical therapists promote the health and well-being of both individuals and the general public, aiming for maximum quality of life, Prof. Dr. Deniz Demirci said the following:
“A physical therapist focuses on the patient and examines their lifestyle to create a personalized plan. It provides for the prevention of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities in individuals at risk of altered movement behaviors due to health or medical factors, socio-economic stressors, and lifestyle factors. In individuals and groups of individuals with altered movement behaviors resulting from impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities, it is responsible for restoring the integrity of body systems necessary for movement, maximizing function and recovery, and enhancing quality of life.”
The physiotherapy process brings many benefits
Prof. Dr. Deniz Demirci also listed the situations where one can benefit from a physical therapist and the physiotherapy process as follows:
Reduces or eliminates pain: Therapeutic exercises and manual therapy techniques such as joint and soft tissue mobilization, or treatments like ultrasound, taping, or electrical stimulation, can help alleviate pain and restore muscle and joint functions to reduce pain.
Reduces the need for surgery: If physical therapy helps relieve pain or heal an injury, surgery may not be necessary in some cases. Even when surgery is necessary, pre-operative physiotherapy can be beneficial. This also accelerates the post-operative recovery process. Physiotherapy also supports the post-operative recovery process.
Improves mobility: Physiotherapy can help people of all ages who have difficulty standing, walking, or moving. It helps to regain mobility through stretching and strengthening exercises. Physical therapists can optimally mobilize individuals with a cane, crutches, or any other assistive device. They apply personalized interventions that enhance the quality of life.
Physiotherapy after stroke: It is common to lose some degree of function and movement after a stroke. Physiotherapy helps to strengthen weakened parts of the body and improve gait and balance. Physical therapists can also improve stroke patients' transfer and movement skills in bed so that they can be more independent at home, and can reduce the care burden for toileting, bathing, dressing, and other daily living activities.
Physiotherapy in sports injuries: Physical therapists play a role in identifying injury risks in various sports. They can design appropriate recovery or exercise programs to ensure a safe return to sport after an injury, or to prevent injuries.
Improves balance and prevents falls: Physical therapists assess individuals for fall risk. If the fall risk is high, therapists will recommend exercises that challenge balance safely and carefully. Therapists also help with exercises to improve coordination to aid safer walking. When a balance problem is caused by an issue in the person's vestibular system, physical therapists can arrange a rehabilitation program that can quickly restore appropriate vestibular function and reduce or eliminate symptoms of dizziness or vertigo.
Manages diabetes and vascular conditions: As part of a general diabetes management plan, exercise can help effectively control blood sugar. Additionally, individuals with diabetes may experience sensory problems in their feet and legs. Physical therapists can plan a rehabilitation program to help these patients provide appropriate foot care and educate them to prevent further problems in the future.
Reduces problems that may come with aging: As individuals age, they may develop arthritis or osteoporosis, or may require joint replacement. Physical therapists can help patients recover from joint replacement and conservatively manage arthritic or osteoporotic conditions.
Manages heart and lung diseases: Individuals may receive cardiac rehabilitation after heart-related conditions. For pulmonary problems, physiotherapy can improve quality of life through strengthening, conditioning, and breathing exercises, and can help patients clear secretions from their lungs.
Reduces women's health and other problems: Physical therapists can plan special rehabilitation programs related to women's health and problems such as bowel incontinence, breast cancer, constipation, fibromyalgia, lymphedema, men's pelvic health, pelvic pain, and urinary incontinence.