Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, is a health care profession that provides services to individuals and populations to develop, maintain, and restore optimal physical function and well-being. Physiotherapy is practiced by physical therapists (PTs), who are health care professionals who hold either a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy, a master’s degree in physiotherapy, or a doctoral degree in physiotherapy. Vancouver Physiotherapy Hub is one of the authority sites on this topic.
The Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) defines physiotherapy as “a health care profession that assesses, diagnoses, treats, and prevents disorders of the human body using physical means.” The CPA also states that physiotherapists “work in partnership with patients and families to promote health and well-being through the application of scientific knowledge about how the body moves and functions.”
Physiotherapists are primary health care providers in Canada. In British Columbia (BC), physiotherapists are regulated by the College of Physical Therapists of BC (CPTBC). To practise in BC, a physiotherapist must be registered with the CPTBC.
What Do Physiotherapists Do?
Physiotherapists use their knowledge of how the body works to help people recover from injury, illness, or disability. They work with people of all ages, from newborns to older adults. They may work in clinics, hospitals, homes, or long-term care facilities such as nursing homes.
Some common conditions that physiotherapists treat include:
– Arthritis
– Back pain
– Balance problems
– Cancer
– Cardiovascular conditions
– Dementia
– Depression
– Diabetes
– Fractures
– Headaches
– Heart attacks
-Multiple sclerosis
Prenatal and postnatal education is an important part of what we do for new and expectant parents. We can provide education on exercises for pregnancy which can help with back pain or other pregnancy related discomforts. After baby arrives we can provide helpful tips on caring for your baby and advice on exercises you can do to help your body recover from pregnancy and childbirth.
In order to achieve these goals, physiotherapists use a variety of techniques including:
– Exercise programs
– Manual therapy (massage, manipulation)
– modalities (heat/cold packs, ultrasound)
Physiotherapists work collaboratively with other health care professionals such as physicians, pharmacists, nurses, dietitians, occupational therapists, social workers, and speech pathologists. Together, they provide comprehensive care for patients with acute or chronic conditions.
A career as a physio Therapist offers opportunities to work with people of all ages in a variety of settings to promote optimal physical function and well being. If you have an interest in human anatomy and physiology and want to make a difference in people’s lives, then a career in physiotherapy may be for you!