Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a health care profession which assists people to restore, maintain and maximize their strength, function, movement and overall well-being. Physiotherapists are highly skilled health professionals who have in-depth knowledge of how the body works and specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat symptoms of illness, injury and disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice.

You can benefit from physiotherapy at any time in your life. Physiotherapy helps with chronic back pain or sudden injury, managing a long-term medical condition such as asthma, and in preparing for childbirth or recovering from sports injury.

General Facts about Physiotherapy:

• Anchored in movement sciences and aims to enhance and restore function of multiple body systems
• Primary focus is on the musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiorespiratory and multi-systems
• Areas of practice include paediatrics, geriatrics, oncology, women’s health, pain, critical care, wound care, occupational health and sports medicine
• Achieved through examination, diagnosis and physical intervention (therapy using mechanical force and movement)
• Physiotherapists apply a collaborative and reasoned approach to help clients achieve their health goals
• Other activities in the physical therapy profession include research, education, consultation, and administration
• In addition to clinical practice, physical therapy services may be provided alongside, or in combination with, other medical or rehabilitation services including occupational therapy

• Primary Benefits of Physiotherapy:

• Promoting optimal mobility, physical activity, and overall health and wellness
• Preventing injury and disability
• Managing acute and chronic conditions, activity limitations and participation restrictions
• Improving and maintaining optimal functional independence and physical performance
• Rehabilitating injury and the effects of disease or disability with therapeutic exercise programs
• Educating and planning maintenance and support programs to prevent reoccurrence, re-injury and/or functional decline

Physiotherapy Encompasses:

• Assessment of clients
• Analysis of assessment findings
• Diagnosis resulting from assessment
• Planning an intervention strategy
• Implementing selected interventions
• Evaluation of health status
• Education of the profession
• Consultation
• Research
• Service management
• Communication with clients
• Lifelong learning and advocacy

Education:

• University-based education that provides a foundation of modern science for the profession
• Many programs also offer Clinical Master’s and/or thesis-based master’s and doctorate programs in rehabilitation or physiotherapy-related disciplines
• Post-graduate certifications relevant to the profession are also available at most schools
• All programs are accredited with Physiotherapy Education
• Accreditation Canada (PEAC)
• Students participate in a minimum of 1,025 supervised professional practice hours in a variety of settings
• Profession is self-regulated and recognized in Canada; there is a high level of professional autonomy that is supported by legislation in all jurisdictions in Canada