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Physiotherapy

University

Introduction to the Degree in Physiotherapy. Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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Definition, objectives, and scope of physiotherapy

  • Physiotherapy: a discipline for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of acute and chronic pathologies
  • Objective: recovery of maximum functionality and mobility
  • Basis of intervention: scientific techniques to treat alterations in human kinetics
  • Diagnosis: medical history, physical examination, laboratory analysis, imaging tests, and electrodiagnosis
  • Therapies: exercises, manual therapy, traction, electrophysical agents (heat, cold, electricity, sound waves) and prosthetics/orthotics
  • Prevention: programs to improve physical fitness and combat the effects of aging or injuries
  • Subspecialties: sports, neurology, geriatrics, pediatrics, among others
  • Practice settings: clinics, hospitals, schools, sports centers, industry, and healthcare management
  • Additional roles: medical law, arbitration, and health insurance

History, definitions, and functions of Physiotherapy

  • Origins: 460 B.C. (Hippocrates and Galen) with massage and hydrotherapy
  • 18th Century: Use of the gimnasticon to treat gout
  • 1813: Pehr Henrik Ling founds the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics (Sweden)
  • 1887: Official recognition of Physiotherapy in Sweden
  • 1894: Creation of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in Great Britain
  • 1913/1914: Creation of physiotherapy schools in New Zealand and the USA
  • 1916: Boost in physical therapy due to the Polio outbreak
  • World War I: Institutionalization of therapy for wounded soldiers
  • 1921: First research published in The PT Review
  • 1921: Mary McMillan organizes the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
  • 1924: Promotion of treatment for polio in Georgia
  • 1950s: Beginning of spinal and limb manipulation procedures
  • 1974: Creation of the Orthopaedic Section of the APTA and the World Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists
  • September 8: World Physiotherapy Day (since 1996)
  • WHO Definition (1958): Science based on physical means, exercise, massage therapy, and electrotherapy
  • WCPT Definition (1967): Pillar of medicine and the Art/Science of Physical Treatment
  • Main functions: Assistance, Teaching/Research, and Management

Functions, processes, and means of Physiotherapy

  • Assistance function: requires prior assessment, physiotherapeutic diagnosis, and a therapeutic plan.
  • Teaching function: qualified training and scientific updates.
  • Management function: includes planning, direction, administration, evaluation, consulting, and auditing.
  • Law 24.317 (Argentina): regulates professional practice and management functions.
  • Intervention: responsible for assessment and planning in all clinical specialties.
  • Neurology: includes sciatica, herniated disc, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury.
  • Traumatology: includes fractures, dislocations, and postoperative recovery.
  • Rheumatology: includes osteoarthritis, arthritis, and osteoporosis.
  • Kinesitherapy: treatment through movement.
  • Thermotherapy/Cryotherapy: application of heat or cold.
  • Hydrotherapy/Thalassotherapy: use of water or marine environments.
  • Electrotherapy: use of electromagnetic energy.
  • Phototherapy: use of ultraviolet or infrared light.
  • Neuromuscular taping: use of acrylic adhesive tapes.
  • Functional taping: partial immobilization technique.
  • Mecanotherapy: use of devices for active or passive movements.

Physical agents and manual therapy techniques in physiotherapy

  • Electrotherapy: application of electrical currents
  • Ultrasonotherapy: application of ultrasound
  • Contact hyperthermia: use of diathermy
  • Hydrotherapy: therapy through water
  • Thermotherapy: therapy through heat
  • Mechanotherapy: use of mechanical devices
  • Radiation: applied except for ionizing radiation
  • Magnetotherapy: use of electromagnetic fields
  • Cryotherapy: therapy through cold
  • Physio-vascular therapy: stimulates capillaries through electromagnetic waves
  • Percussive therapy: repetitive mechanical impulses; increases oxygenation for 40 minutes
  • Kinesitherapy: therapy through movement
  • Manipulation: vertebral and peripheral joints
  • Postural re-education: methods such as R.P.G., Mézières, Muscle Chains, G.D.S.
  • Mobilizations: articular, neuro-meningeal, fascial, and visceral
  • Neurological Physical Therapy: methods such as Brunnstrom, Bobath, Perfetti, Vojta, Castillo-Morales, LeMetayer
  • Obstetric Physical Therapy: hypopressive gymnastics for pelvic dysfunctions
  • Functional Taping: use of Kinesio-Taping (elastic tapes)
  • Diacutaneous Fibrolysis: a specific manual technique
  • Massage Therapy: application of various massage techniques
  • Safety: physical therapy is non-toxic; side effects depend on contraindications or malpractice

Indications and Contraindications of Physical Agents and Physical Therapy Models

  • Kinesitherapy: inflammatory processes, healing fractures, and osteoporosis.
  • Manual therapy: bone cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and vertebro-basilar vertigo.
  • Respiratory Physiotherapy: pneumothorax, bronchospasm, and respiratory distress.
  • Electrotherapy: CNS disorders, thrombophlebitis, and capillary fragility.
  • Electrotherapy Contraindications: pacemakers, cardiac area, and the abdomen of pregnant women.
  • Magnetotherapy: viral diseases, mycosis, and hypotension.
  • Magnetotherapy Contraindications: pacemaker carriers.
  • Hydrotherapy: incontinence, febrile states, and varicose ulcers.
  • Thermotherapy: acute locomotor inflammations and abdominal conditions.
  • Cryotherapy: Raynaud's disease, paralysis, and urticaria.
  • Light therapy: active pulmonary tuberculosis and hyperthyroidism.
  • Vibrotherapy: coagulation disorders and Diabetes Mellitus.
  • Vibrotherapy Contraindications: metallic prostheses and epiphyseal plates.
  • Geriatrics: improves neurogenesis and cytostructure through the cardiovascular system.
  • Physiotherapy vs. Rehabilitation: physiotherapy is physical; rehabilitation is multidisciplinary (speech therapy, psychology, etc.).
  • Healthcare model: disability as an individual health problem.
  • Social model: disability as a social integration problem.

Professional framework and labor market for physiotherapists

  • Title: Requires mandatory university degree.
  • Minimum training: 4 years according to WCPT recommendations.
  • Key functions: Assess, examine, diagnose, and treat.
  • Basic sciences: Anatomy, Neurophysiology, Kinesiology, Physiology, Biology, and Biochemistry.
  • Clinical sciences: Neurology, Pharmacology, Traumatology, Pediatrics, Psychology, Epidemiology, Imaging, Orthotics, and Occupational Therapy.
  • Clinical process: Clinical history, review of systems, tests, measurements, and diagnosis.
  • Focus: Realistic, culturally competent, and patient-centered care plan.
  • Work environments: Hospitals, health centers, nursing homes, sports centers, spas, and home care.
  • Teaching: Possibility of working in universities or continuing education centers.

Flashcard preview (6 of 30)

  1. 01

    Etymology of physiotherapy (from Greek):

    physis ('nature') and therapéia ('treatment')

  2. 02

    Main objective of physiotherapy according to the World Physiotherapy (formerly WCPT):

    To facilitate the development, maintenance, and recovery of maximum functionality and mobility

  3. 03

    In physiotherapy, which body systems are evaluated to analyze kinetics or body movement?

    Functions produced by the body systems

  4. 04

    Electrodiagnostic tests used by physiotherapists:

    Electrograms and nerve conduction velocity tests

  5. 05

    Mention 3 subspecialties of the physiotherapy profession:

    Sports, neurology, wound care (e.g., EMG, geriatrics, pediatrics)

  6. 06

    In 1813, who founded the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics (RCIG)?

    Pehr Henrik Ling

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