What are the benefits of being a physiotherapist?

 •                      Physiotherapists are primary care professionals, meaning you can go directly to them without a doctor’s referral

•                      Variety of job opportunities such as working in orthopaedics, paediatrics, cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, rheumatology, gerontology, women’s health, sports physiotherapy, neurosciences, health promotion, manual therapy, health care management, etc.

•        Opportunity to work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team (in a group setting)

•        Opportunity for continued education in chosen practice area 

•        Opportunity to participate in research or be involved with health policy at many levels

•        Opportunity to work abroad

•        Opportunity for flexible work times

TREATMENT IN PHYSIOTHERAPY

TREATMENT IN PHYSIOTHERAPY

Hydrotherapy

Treatment done in a pool with water temperatures of 33-38 degrees celcius.through the use of buoyant devices and varied depths of immersion,the practitioner may position the patien in various waywith any desired amount of weight bearing.the therapeutic intervention using water including stretching,strengthening,joint mobilization,balance.gait training and endurance training.

Goals for hydrotherapy:

·         Pain relief

·         Facilitate cardiovascular exercise

·         increase range of motion

·         minimize risk of injury during rehabilitation

·         improve patient’s strength

most commonly used for:

·         chronic lower back pain-Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal symptom that may be either acute or chronic. It may be caused by a variety of diseases and disorders that affect the lumbar spine.

·         spinal cord injuries-injury to spinal cord which cause by the damage of nerve root that carry signals to and from brain.

·         Stress-any situation or thought that make you feel angry,nervous,anxiety and frustrated.

·         Arthritis-inflammation of the joint which cause pain,swelling and stiffness.

·         cerebral palsy-disorders affecting body movement and muscle coordination.brain cannot control muscle and movement properly.

Shortwave diathermy treatment

The therapeutic elevation of temperatures in the tissue by using high frequency electric current between two electodes.these cause molecules in deep tissue vibrate,heating the tissue and increasing the blood flow.

Advantages:

·         relaxation of muscle

·         relief of pain

·         accelerate recovery

Normally used for:

·         osteoarthritis-also known as degenerative joint disease.it is a progressive disorder of the joint caused by gradual loss of cartilage.

·         Tendinitis-inflammation,swelling and irritation of a tendon which cause pain.

·         Bursitis-inflammation of bursa,lubricating sac,over a joint,between tendons and muscles or bones.

·         Neuritis-the inflammation of a nerve or a group of nerve which cause pain,loss of reflexes and atrophyof the affected muscles.

·         Strains-injured  by overexertion

Hydrocollator pack treatment

A hydrocollator pack is a silica gel fi lled pack that is soaked in hot water to

provide prolonged moist heat. A hydrocollator pack is good in any situation

that requires penetrating heat.

Uses:

·         Relaxation of muscle

·         Reducing pain

Usually used for

·         Muscle strain

·         Muscle spasm

·         Arthritis

Massage

Massage treatment uses “TOUCH” to apply pressure to the body’s skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments.

Uses:

·         Increase blood flow

·         Lowering blood pressure

·         Healing injury or pain

·         Reduce the aversion to touch

·         Re-energizing muscle

·         Stimulate the nerve

Usually used for

·         Autism- Autism is a complex developmental disability by result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain.

·         Post-operative patient-recently had a surgery

·         Arthritis-inflammation of the joint which cause pain,swelling and stiffness

·         Asthma-common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm

·         Eczema-A noncontagious inflammation of the skin, characterized chiefly by redness, itching, and the outbreak of lesions that may discharge serous matter.

·         Cystic fibrosis-A hereditary disease of the exocrine glands, usually developing during early childhood and affecting mainly the pancreas, respiratory system, and sweat glands

·         Lower back pain

SPECIALIZATION IN PHYSIOTHERAPY

Outpatient Department: Treating back and neck pain, accidents and sports injuries. Educate patients in prevention of re-occurrence.


Neurology: Treating patients with strokes, multiple sclerosis and other forms of paralysis and helping them regain maximum possible function.


Respiratory Care: Patients with disease of the lungs such as asthma and bronchitis are helped to clear their lungs and breathe efficiently. This is particularly important if they are having surgery.


Coronary Care: Patients who have had a heart attack or heart surgery may be given a graduated rehabilitation program.


Orthopedics: Rehabilitating patients who have had operations on their bones or joints.


Hand Therapy: Working to regain maximum possible function of the hand following disease or injury.


Pediatrics: Working with children who have a physical and/or mental handicap e.g. spina bifida, cerebral palsy.


Maternity Care: Preparing pregnant women for childbirth and helping them regain fitness afterwards.


Care of the Elderly: Helping them to keep their mobility and independence.


Sports: Working with sports people to prevent injury as well as providing specific treatment.


In the Workplace: Looking at the workplace and the way people work in order to prevent physical problems.

Physiotherapists may work in settings such as:

- child development centres

- community health centres

- fitness centres, health clubs or spas

- government and health planning agencies

- home care

- continuing care facilities

- hospitals and rehabilitation centres

- physiotherapy clinics and multidisciplinary clinics (for example pain clinics)

- schools

- sport and recreation facilities

- gynaecologist
 *Physiotherapist may advance to supervisory or management positions in large organization, or move into teaching and research positions.

Physiotherapist needs the following characteristics:

- a genuine interest in helping people

- the interpersonal skills, patience, empathy and ability to motivate and encourage people

- good health and physical stamina

- good co-ordination and manual dexterity

- analytical and problem solving skills

- good organizational skills

- good oral and written communication skills

- a positive outlook

*They should enjoy developing and implementing innovative health promotion programs and dealing with people. Besides that, without a doubt, physiotherapist requires hard work and preseverance.

Conclusion:

Physiotherapy profession concerned with the health and well-being of patients. Being an occupation dealing with healthcare, the profession itself is associated with the public interest. It is highly ideal that physiotherapy continues to grow and evolve. This can be done through intensive research and of course, through continuous promotion of the career. This type of service is full of opportunities and the benefits can be very rewarding. People interested will find that a career in physiotherapy can be rich with knowledge and application.

Qualification for Physiotherapy in Malaysia

After SPM

 For SPM student who want to further study in Diploma Physiotherapy, the important subjects in Physiotherapy are:

·         Mathematics

·         English

·         Biology

·         Chemistry

For those subjects, student must at least get credit. In Physiotherapy, Biology is the most important because we need to study all the muscles in our body, how does the contraction of the muscles occur and how can we palpate the muscles. These all is related with Biology. However, the SPM result will be compared with other person and the highest one will be chosen.

After Diploma and Matriculation

To further in Degree after the Diploma, the student must get the CGPA at least 3.0 and above and for post-matriculation, CGPA must be at least 3.5 and above. However, for those who are post-diploma, they only need to finish their study in 2 and half years. Compared with post-matriculation, which is 4 years. This is because almost the syllabus for diploma and degree are same. In UiTM, there is a fast way to further study in Degree that is called fast tract. Fast tract is only for Diploma student who gets CGPA 3.5 and above. This student will further in Degree semester 3.

After Degree

The same goes for Master. Post-degree student is also need to achieve CGPA at least 3.0 and above. For Master, there is more specific in study such as:

·         Master in physiotherapy in musculoskeletal disorder and sport

·         Master in physiotherapy in neurological and psychosomatic disorder

·         Master in physiotherapy in cardio-respiratory disorder

·         Master in physiotherapy in commonly rehabilitation

·         Master in physiotherapy in pediatrics

It will be extended over a period of two continuous years on a full time basis.

After Master

In PhD, it is more to the research. Same goes for Master. CGPA that is needed is also 3.0 and above. The minimum duration of PhD courses or the said full time PhD students shall be three years. The research usually related with orthopedics, neurology and cardiology.

Sources:

·         By interviewing the lectures ( Puan Fadia Razali and Puan Farhana )

·         http://docs.google.com/viewer

·         http://www.drmvst.ac.in/web/college_of_physiotherapy/doctorate-in-physiotherapy-ph.d

Introduction to Physiotherapy

"Physiotherapy is a dynamic profession, which uses a range of treatment techniques to restore movement and function within the body." - Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.U.K. It is also known as physical therapy with the short form PT.
Physiotherapy is a branch of healthcare science that mainly concentrates on the physical aspects of an individual's healthcare, by treating their physical ailments. It works towards this by maintenance and rehabilitation of the individual's physical activity, which is nothing but bringing back the lost activity to near normal perfection. Physiotherapy uses physical agents for the treatment of patients. The following lists are the common physical agents used in Physiotherapy. physiotherapy treatments comprised mainly exercise, massage and traction.
Physiotherapy expanded from hospitals out to other areas of medical care.  Physiotherapists now work also in clinics, nursing homes, private practice and schools. In consequence, Physiotherapy now commands wide recognition and well-earned respect, with many young people expressing interest in making their career in the profession.

Sources:

·         + http://physiotherapy.wikia.com/wiki/An_Introduction_to_Physiotherapy

·         + http://thephysiosite.com/