Physiotherapy also known as Physical therapy is a health care profession, which views human movement as central to the health and well being of individuals. Physiotherapists identify and maximise movement potential through health promotion, preventive health care, treatment and rehabilitation. Physiotherapy is a holistic approach to healthcare, and plays a vital part in pain relief, healing and rehabilitation in most medical and surgical conditions. Physiotherapists/ Physical therapists treat by stimulating natural healing mechanisms without the use of drugs or surgery and to restore the patient to optimum functional ability. The Physiotherapist will assess the nature and actual site of the problem and relate it to the whole patient before making a diagnosis. Following full explanation to the patient the most appropriate form of treatment will be undertaken and reviewed at every treatment session. Preventative medicine is very important in Physiotherapy, and the patient will be taught how to avoid a recurrence of his or her problem.
Physiotherapy service has its applications in all most all disciplines of modern medicine- Orthopedics, Neurology, Cardio thoracic, Oncology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gerontology [geriatrics], Pediatrics and Neonatology, General Surgery, Plastic surgery and Cosmetic surgery, Dermatology, Diabetology, Rheumatology, Psychiatry, Sports Medicine etc . From the intensive care units now the service is being extended to emergency services as it is proved that Physiotherapy management done at early phase reduces the rehabilitation time in many cases like trauma. Physiotherapists are now members in field sports injury management medical team. Even in torture victims physiotherapy is found to be inevitable part of rehabilitation. Physiotherapy is an evidence-based practice and constant developments are going on due to the extensive research works.