World Physiotherapy Day observed every year on September eight was initiated in 1951, by a Canadian, Per Henrik Ling, who also revolutionized it to raise awareness about the critical roles of physiotherapists in keeping people healthy and fit.
This day is also celebrated around the world, to mark the unity and solidarity of the global physiotherapy community. It is an opportunity to recognize the hard work physiotherapists put in for their patients and the physiotherapy community as a whole. A physiotherapist is a person who has gone through a rigorous Academic program in Physiotherapy in a University in Nigeria or Abroad; to acquire knowledge, skills and degrees.
With the theme of this year’s World physiotherapy Day which is “low back pain and the role of physiotherapy in its management and Prevention” some members of the physiotherapy community, including the Omega Physiotherapy and Back Pain Care Clinics Onitsha and Awka, have sustained the promotion of physiotherapy and awareness about leading causes of chronic back pain and preferred panacea.
The leading causes of back pain in a condensed form include sprained ligaments, strained muscles and muscle spasm which could metamorphose to chronic stage causing deformity that could lead to one being wheel chair-bound or be-ridden.
Physiotherapy provides supplementary treatment as well as continuation of doctor’s prescription.
Experience has shown that only labour-intensive measures carried out by a musculo-skeletal physiotherapist, knowledgeable in anatomy and biomechanics of the back structure, can bring enduring relief to a chronic back pain victim. Physiotherapy performed skillfully can provide the patient with the necessary physical and emotional assistance for resuming a normal life. Victims of disturbing back pain have found solace in the hands of skilled physiotherapists who would use the needed modalities at their disposal to ameliorate the pain in the back. Over the years, physiotherapy fills the gap that provides detailed comprehensive answers to questions repeatedly posed by every back pain patient. Physiotherapy also provides guidance in the prevention of back problems. It offers practical help that enables every patient to work actively towards his own recovery.
Physiotherapy can keep a person from needing invasive surgery. According to research published in the ‘Annals of Internal Medicine’ in April 2015, it can help persons with lumbar spinal stenosis, avoid surgery. Indeed skillful physiotherapy in most cases can eliminate the need for surgery.
A physiotherapist works with patients to help them manage pain, balance, mobility, and motor function. Most people at some point in their lifetime will work with a physiotherapist, for various needs emanating from different incidents including accidents, surgeries, or to address low back pain or stroke rehabilitation or birth deformity.
There are Skills and qualities a physiotherapist must possess. These include
interest in science , especially biology, patience and sympathy, to help patients who are anxious about doing difficult or painful exercises, listening skills, ability to explain things clearly, observational skills, record-keeping and report-writing skills.
Let us work with physiotherapists to keep the pains away.
Written by DR. CHARLES EHIRIM
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