Today ,the 8th September is the ” WORLD PHYSIOTHERAPY DAY”.This is an opportunity for physical therapist from all over the world to raise awareness about the vital contribution their profession makes to keeping people well,mobile and independent.
World Confederation for Physical Therapist (WCPT) has designated 8th September, the date WCPT was founded in 1951 , as world physical therapy day. The day marks the unity and solidarity of the physical therapy community from 101 countries around the world.
History of Physiothrapy:
At least as early as the days of Hippocrates, massage was used and the history of physiotherapy was begun. In 460 B.C. Hector was using a type of physiotherapy called hydrotherapy, or water therapy. The practice of physiotherapy has evolved through the centuries from the earliest forms to the complex system of treatment it is now. During the history of physiotherapy, training and practice have changed and improved. Many brilliant pioneers have left their marks in the literature and organizations of the field. Physiotherapy is a well-respected profession as a result.
In Bangladesh the Bachelor of Physiotherapy course was started in 1973 in NITOR (Pangu Hospital) under the Faculty of Medicine, University of Dhaka. But the course was stopped after two years. Again, in 1994 the course again started in the same institution. Now, the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) course is runnig in National Institute of Traumatology & Orthopadeic Rehabilition (NITOR), Bangladesh Health Professions Institute(BHPI), Gono University, Bangladesh Medical College, State College of health sciences(SCHS), Peoples Institute of Health Sciences.
Branches of physiotherapy:
Physiotherapy is a complex speciality, as it deals with all disciplines of medicine. Development in this field has resulted in a variety of sub-specialization.
1.Musculo-skeletal physiotherapy: The Musculo-Skeletal Physiotherapy is a branch, where application of physiotherapy is involved in the treatment of physical ailments concerned with structures surrounding the joint region such as Bones, Muscles,Ligament and Bursa .
Some of the conditions dealt in this branch are:Muscle pain, strain,Muscle tear, Joint stiffness,Fractures,Ligament strain, sprain, tear Inability to walk,Inflammation of tendons and bursa,Joint pain , poor posture,Joint inflammation in case of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
2. Cardio-Thoracic Physiotherapy:
Cardio – Thoracic Physiotherapy, is concerned with the care of physical fitness of the heart and lungs. This treatment specializes in clearing away any chest secretions so as to enable an help an individual to breath more normally and help in adequate oxygen supply to the healing wound and the body.
Some of the conditions treated under this branch are :Asthma,Increased chest secretions,Other respiratory infections and conditions,Any General surgery like Appendicectomy,Before and after Heart surgery,Before and after the Lung surgery,Intensive care unit care.
3. Neurological Physiotherapy:
Neurological Physiotherapy is concerned with the treatment arising from the problems in brain, Nerves of the brain, Spinal cord and nerves of the spinal cord.
some of the conditions are:Stroke,Paralysis,Balance disorder,Spinal cord injury,After a brain surgery,All nerve injuries.
4 . Physiotherapy in Rehabilitation:
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation goes hand in hand. Rehabilitation is nothing but bringing back a physically disabled individual to near normal condition by using his maximum existing capacities. Rehabilitation in physiotherapy involves training and retraining of physical activity in a physically disabled individual.
Different types of rehabilitation where physiotherapy is involved:Stroke Rehabilitation,Geriatric/Old age Rehabilitation,Cardiac Rehabilitation
,Amputee (person who has lost the limb) Rehabilitation.
5.Physiotherapy in Obstetrics:
Physiotherapy in obstetrics is concerned with postural care and physical fitness of women during pregnancy and after child birth.
6.Sports Physiotherapy:
Sports physiotherapy is specialized for sports persons. Guidance in sport activities like techniques of warming up period, cooling down period, guidance in lifting techniques and also treatment of sport injuries are dealt.
Some of the conditions under this are: Any Muscle spasm (pain and tightness of muscle) ,Muscle strain,Ligament sprain, tear,All other sport injury.
7.Physiotherapy in fitness and postural care:
This branch is concerned with guidance and care for physical fitness, good postural care and Body muscle built.
Some of the conditions dealt are:Obesity/ Over weight ,Poor Posture (Hunch back),Good muscle built.
8.Paediatric Physiotherapy:
This branch of physiotherapy treatment is for the children born with physical disabilities and also for the children undergoing any surgery, requiring physiotherapy care are dealt here.
Some of the conditions dealt here are:Club foot Before and after a surgery (In case of congenital heart disease),Respiratory infections ,Fractures in children,Cerebral palsy (brain disorder affecting movement).
Treatment methods used in physiotherapy:
Physical therapy techniques may include therapeutic exercise, joint mobilization and range-of-motion exercises, cardiovascular endurance training, relaxation exercises, therapeutic massage, biofeedback, training in various activities of daily living, wound care, pulmonary physical therapy, and training in moving about. Specific therapies including cervical traction, lumber traction,ultrasound therapy, interferential therapy,trigger point therapy,deep transverse friction,transcuteneous electric nerve stimulation(TENS),short wave diathermy(SWD), micro wave diathermy(MWD), infrared radiation(IRR), manual therapy, cryotherapy, hydrotherapy,wax therapy,muscle stimulation therapy, and laser therapy may also be applied during treatment.
Although the role of Physiotherapists in the modern medical sciences is beyond description; but in Bangladesh now there is no permanent Government post for the Physiotherapists, there is also no council for the physiotherapist.
Now the completion of the establishment of Bangladesh College of Physiotherapy(BCP) ,which was inaugarated by the present Honorable Health Minister in june ,2009; Formation of Bangladesh Physiotherapy Council(BPC); permanent first class government post creation for the graduated Physiotherapist are the demand of the time.
Hope ,the Government of Bangladesh will take the proper initiatives for fulfilling of these demands , so that the people of Bangladesh can get the physiotherapy treatment like the developed countries of the world.
