Physiotherapists help add life to years

Physiotherapists can help older people to be independent, improving the quality of life and reducing health care costs. This is the message from thousands of Physiotherapists across the world as they prepare to take part in World Physical Therapy Day on 8th September 2016.

Every year, World Physical Therapy Day allows individual Physiotherapists to celebrate their contribution to global health. This year's event builds on the success of 2015 when thousands of Physiotherapists used to unite events across the world.

This World Physical Therapy Day uses the theme “Add life to years” following the World Health Organisation's World Report on Ageing and Health which says that “maintenance of functional ability has the highest importance” for older people.

“World Physical Therapy Day is the first opportunity for the adoption of the report Physiotherapists to show how important the profession is in ensuring healthy and active older people,”.

“The evidence of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of physical therapy for older adults is incontrovertible. World Physical Therapy Day, with its focus on adding life to years, gives physiotherapists a great platform to communicate this message to older people, the wider community, and health care policy and decision-makers.”

By 2050 the global population will include two billion people aged 60 or over, and 400 million aged 80 or over. Physiotherapists have a key role in helping people with long-term conditions to achieve their goals, fulfil their potential and participate fully in society.

“Every day frontline Physiotherapists are transforming lives through the application of their clinical skills and experience. This is particularly so when working with older people whose health needs increase as they age”.
“Enabling older people to maintain their independence and continue to participate in society is a key skill of physical therapists around the world. In the coming years, these skills will be more in demand and the global profession is willing and able to meet that challenge.”

Physiotherapy is a treatment in management and prevention of numerous physical harms caused by injuries, disease, lifestyle and ageing. The major goals of physiotherapy are restoration, maintenance and maximization of a person’s strength, functionality, and movement.

Physiotherapy has proven to be the most helpful of all problems for physical pain. Studies have shown that physiotherapy has been a very effective tool against pains and injuries ranging from minor to major body pain issues. Physiotherapists suggest various exercises and treatments that can reduce any muscle pain. Physiotherapy has also helped many people regain the same strength post-accidents. Any damage to the ligament, weak muscles, respiratory diseases, dizziness, numbness, pain in the shoulder and neck, etc. can be cured by a physiotherapy specialist.

There are various types of physical therapies including manual therapies, electrotherapy techniques, and exercise programs. These techniques of offering therapy are aimed at managing the three types of physiotherapy namely neurological, cardiothoracic and musculoskeletal.

What Physiotherapy does

• Elimination of pain

Physiotherapy minimizes pain caused by any injury or illness. This pain can range from back and neck injuries to fractures, joint disorders as well as arthritis.

• Improvement of joint mobility

Conditions like arthritis and sports injuries reduce joint mobility. Arthritis mainly at old age is the leading cause of problems within joint mobility. This is where physiotherapy incorporates into easing the firmness of the joints and increasing the blood flow to the joints having problems.

• Treatment of respiratory problems

Respiratory problems such as cystic fibrosis, which primarily affects the lungs and digestive tract, can be managed using physiotherapy. The exercise done under the supervision of a physiotherapist can help open the chest thus enabling better breathing.

• Improves flexibility

The more flexible the joints and muscles are the better body strength you gain, which further helps you to prevent injury. A proper physiotherapy treatment includes flexibility, coordination between muscles and joint reflexes. A physiotherapy specialist can provide you with certain right exercises and technique to deal with injuries such as cramps, strains and torn ligament during a live game.

• Improves the body’s durability

The constant application of physiotherapy in athletes improves the ability of the body to handle physical stress.

• Fastens recovery

Some injuries cannot be prevented not just in the game but any random incident that occurs. Daily physical routines conducted by a sports specialist helps to ensure that the body is not over doing any physical stress.

• Helps your body relax

Your body recovers even faster when you are at complete ease. Physiotherapy at such a time is just the perfect solution not just sports professionals but also for the elderly or people who have suffered some muscle injuries during some incident. The more your body is relaxed the faster it will be able to recover and decrease the pain.

• Strengthens the muscles

A regular physiotherapy session helps gain strong muscles, bones, and joints which help to prevent minor injuries. These sessions make the body more effective.