Unveiling Physical Therapy
World Physical Therapy Day
 |
| Dr Soniya Choudhary |
In today`s fast-paced world, where there is so much to do, and so many responsibilities to handle, we often find ourselves dealing with pain, movement challenges, fitness targets or sometimes even an overall feeling of just not being entirely well.
Physical therapy also known as Physiotherapy is the beacon of hope that helps the common man deal with all of these issues and yet its role often remains enshrouded in a cloud of misunderstanding. Often mistaken for a massage or just some exercises, the actual dimensions of physical therapy go far and beyond these popular misconceptions.
Physical therapy intrinsically is a specialised branch of modern healthcare that aims to enhance an individual`s physical well-being, restore optimum functionality and improve overall quality of life.
With a specialised hands-on technique approach and evidence-based practices, a physical therapist focuses on exercises as a mainstay treatment along with electro-analgesic modalities, manual therapy and muscle re-education for the recovery and rehabilitation of a wide range of conditions.
Physical therapy, however, is not just for those recovering from an illness or surgery. Physical therapy is for everyone. Whether you are an office worker struggling with postural issues, a homemaker dealing with persistent nagging pain, an older adult facing imbalance problems or an athlete aiming at performance enhancement, physical therapy can benefit everyone.
From infants to older adults, physical therapists (physiotherapists) structure their treatment plans to suit the specific needs and goals of each individual. However, despite its beneficial impact, its true essence and scope tend to be overlooked.
As human beings, we are naturally drawn towards simplicity and familiarity. Consequently, it is not surprising that many people conceive it as purely a form of massage or a series of exercises. While these notions are not entirely devoid of truth, they represent only a fraction of what this remarkable field truly has to offer.
Goa, a sun-kissed coastal paradise is known for its inviting beaches and relaxed lifestyle. However, like any other state, it has its own health concerns. One notable fact about Goa is the high prevalence and an ever-increasing rate of lifestyle diseases.
A private healthcare body in its Health Care Abnormality report 2013-14 claimed that people of Goa are at a higher risk of lifestyle diseases due to sedentary lifestyle, decreased physical activity, smoking, high intake of alcohol and unhealthy eating habits. According to the 2019-20 report by the National Health Systems Resource Centre, 43.9% of the total disease burden in Goa is due to morbidity.
Every so often we hear news of cardiac events around us and surprisingly a good proportion of the full figure falls in the age bracket of 35-45 years of age. Physical therapy plays a significant role in addressing most of the health disorders. Beyond healing, physical therapists foster a culture of prevention and performance optimisation. They empower individuals to take charge of their health and achieve their health goals.
Physical therapy as a comprehensive and evolving discipline encompasses a broad spectrum of interventions. These techniques work in harmony to address the unique needs of each individual, targeting not only the symptoms but also the underlying causes of dysfunctions.
One of the most remarkable aspects of physical therapy is its holistic approach towards optimal recovery and maximum restoration of normal functions. For these goals to be achieved, a physical therapist gets to the root cause of the problem rather than just masking the symptoms thus ensuring a long-term recovery and an enhanced sense of well-being for an individual.
As we dive deeper and explore the realm of physical therapy and its scope, it is evident that this discipline represents a multi-faceted approach towards health care. Thus, offering individuals a solution for pain-free physical functioning, improved quality of movement and overall enhanced well-being. It is time we proactively embrace the transformative power of physical therapy (physiotherapy) to take us towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.
(Dr Soniya Choudhary is the Founder of RehabMAXgoa and Senior Consultant Physical Therapist at RG Hospital, Porvorim, Goa.)
