Physical therapy - Scope of practice

Physical therapy (also known as physiotherapy) is a health profession concerned with the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and disability through physical means. It is based upon principles of medical science, and is generally held to be within the sphere of conventional (rather than alternative) medicine. Physiotherapy is practiced by physiotherapists (also known as physical therapists, e.g. in the United States), though aspects may also be practiced under supervised delegation by physiotherapy assi ...

Including:

• Physical therapy - Scope of practice
• Physical therapy - History of physiotherapy
• Physical therapy - Assessment
• Physical therapy - Treatment
• Physical therapy - Musculoskeletal physiotherapy
• Physical therapy - Cardiopulmonary physiotherapy
• Physical therapy - Neurological physiotherapy
• Physical therapy - Physiotherapy education
• Physical therapy - Qualifications in the United States

Read more here: » Physical therapy: Encyclopedia - Physical therapy

Physiotherapists' scope of practice varies considerably across the world, both in terms of the degree of professional autonomy enjoyed and the range of conditions managed. Physiotherapists in some jurisdications, such as the Australian states, enjoy professional autonomy, with the ability to act as primary care providers and to determine — and be responsible for — a patient's management plan. Physiotherapists in some other juristictions work primary upon referral from ...

See also:

Physical therapy, Physical therapy - Scope of practice, Physical therapy - History of physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Assessment, Physical therapy - Treatment, Physical therapy - Musculoskeletal physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Cardiopulmonary physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Neurological physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Physiotherapy education, Physical therapy - Qualifications in the United States

Read more here: » Physical therapy: Encyclopedia II - Physical therapy - Scope of practice

As with many aspects of the profession, essential physiotherapy training varies considerably across the world. As a general rule, physiotherapy studies involve a minimum of four years tertiary education. Some examples are described here. In Australia, an undergraduate physiotherapy degree is typically undertaken over a four-year period, with the early components being predominantly theoretical and with an increasingly clinical focus throughout the latter stages. Postgraduate entry into physiotherapy in possible in some institutions, typically involving two years of study following the completion of a re ...

See also:

Physical therapy, Physical therapy - Scope of practice, Physical therapy - History of physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Assessment, Physical therapy - Treatment, Physical therapy - Musculoskeletal physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Cardiopulmonary physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Neurological physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Physiotherapy education, Physical therapy - Qualifications in the United States

Read more here: » Physical therapy: Encyclopedia II - Physical therapy - Physiotherapy education

A physiotherapist will initially conduct a subjective examination (interview) of a patient's medical history, and then go on to the objective assessment (physical examination). The subjective examination is guided by the presenting system and complaint, and the objective assessment is in turn guided by the history. This semistructured process is used to rule out serious pathology (so called red flags), establish functional limitations, refine the diagnosis, guide therapy, and establish a baseline for monitoring progress. As such, the ...

See also:

Physical therapy, Physical therapy - Scope of practice, Physical therapy - History of physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Assessment, Physical therapy - Treatment, Physical therapy - Musculoskeletal physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Cardiopulmonary physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Neurological physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Physiotherapy education, Physical therapy - Qualifications in the United States

Read more here: » Physical therapy: Encyclopedia II - Physical therapy - Assessment

Physiotherapy has its origins in late Victorian England. In 1894 the British Medical Journal raised concerns about the practices of some masseuses and masseurs who were offering massage as a euphemism for sex. The BMJ called for an institution to be formed to regulate massage practice. The Society of Trained Masseuses was formed by well-meaning nurses and midwives who were keen to see their massage practices authenticated. Quickly, the English example was followed by most of the colonial countries which adopted practices and regulator ...

See also:

Physical therapy, Physical therapy - Scope of practice, Physical therapy - History of physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Assessment, Physical therapy - Treatment, Physical therapy - Musculoskeletal physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Cardiopulmonary physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Neurological physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Physiotherapy education, Physical therapy - Qualifications in the United States

Read more here: » Physical therapy: Encyclopedia II - Physical therapy - History of physiotherapy

Guided by the assessment findings, the physiotherapist will then develop and facilitate a treatment plan. Aside from the various physiotherapeutic teachniques involved in therapy, the treatment regimen may include prescribing and advice regarding assistive walking devices; should consider functional progress; and include ongoing review and refinement. Patient education is a key aspect of all treatment plans. It is difficult to explore the many aspects of physiotherapeutic treatment options, especially considering their ongoing development in the face of an increasing research base. Nonetheless, some e ...

See also:

Physical therapy, Physical therapy - Scope of practice, Physical therapy - History of physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Assessment, Physical therapy - Treatment, Physical therapy - Musculoskeletal physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Cardiopulmonary physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Neurological physiotherapy, Physical therapy - Physiotherapy education, Physical therapy - Qualifications in the United States

Read more here: » Physical therapy: Encyclopedia II - Physical therapy - Treatment