THE BODY SCIENCE
THE BODY SCIENCE
(The Times of India - Education Times - Article dated 18th September, 2000)
Have you ever thought about the hands that breathe life into paralyzed limbs, whose ministrations have alleviated the pain of scores of malfunctioning bodies? Then you must be giving kudos to physiotherapy as the miracle worker. The efficacy of physiotherapy in curing diseases or rectifying the damage caused to accident victims has made it a veritable boon to the otherwise bleak and hopeless lives.
The most common thought that comes to the layman about physiotherapy, despite the various landmarks achieved in this field, is healing through massage. Avers Mona Kalra, a practicing physiotherapist, "Physiotherapy is a very scientific way of treating a patient. It is based on complete knowledge of the patient's pathological history, the extent of his injury or malaise, and accordingly rendering customized treatment." The treatment could be done using either of the physical and mechanical means such as massage, exercises, electricity, radiation, heat, water, ice, ozone, laser, etc., and involves the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body.
Physiotherapy has its beginnings in the nineteenth century when it was basically a massage. Subsequently, with growing demand, it evolved as therapeutic exercises. Now on a highly advanced level, physiotherapy has a multitude of modalities that can be beneficially used on human soft tissues. Physiotherapy, like most other branches of science, has not been averse to developments. Now we have branches like electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, action therapy, wax therapy, light therapy and ice therapy. The latest feat in physiotherapy is ozone therapy and laser therapy. Ozone therapy deals with healing of superficial scars, wounds, etc. while laser therapy is used in curing ulcers, post-operative wounds, skin conditions like psoriasis, soft tissue injuries, etc.
Coming to brass tacks, what does a physiotherapist do which a comprehensive dosage of medicine and complete rest cannot do? A physiotherapist firstly identifies the problem area with the help of electro-diagnosis or diagnosis aided by electrical stimulation and/or a host of other tests. The root of problems could be in mundane things like bad posture, awry work techniques, or serious muscle imbalances, physical stress or serious injuries. The physiotherapist, fortified with his knowledge of the patient's physiological condition treats the patient accordingly. Most importantly, a physiotherapist identifies the predisposing causes of dysfunction. Once this is done, the chances of the same discomfort occurring again are eliminated. This aspect has made physiotherapy a preventive rather than just a palliative order.
Physiotherapy also has a rehabilitative facet to it. Worth mentioning is the application of physiotherapy in pre-operative and post-operative conditions where after a surgery is conducted, a physiotherapist catalyses the recuperation of the patient. When used in concurrence with other types of medical or surgical techniques, it can be the harbinger of hope to incapacitated lives. Physiotherapy, teamed with other disciplines like occupational therapy and psychology has been very useful in improving the quality of lives afflicted with cerebral palsy, polio, etc., by encouraging as much functional independence as possible.
Says, Dr. Nishtha Chhaya, who has been practicing occupational therapy for the last 23 years, "An effective blend of physiotherapy with occupational therapy has been instrumental in improving the overall health of the physically challenged, by improving mobility and consequently eliminating the incidence of maladies brought about the immobility and lack of exercise. Apart from rectifying injuries, a physiotherapist also acts as a fitness counselor by advising fitness freaks on the right kind of exercise. Also, physiotherapy is of great use in pre-natal and post-natal situations, as it eliminates complications, as it eliminates complications by strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor.
Besides, a physiotherapist is indispensable to the world of sports where a physiotherapist is a dietician and a fitness counselor all rolled into one. Dr. Pankaj Gandhi shares, "No sports person can do without a physiotherapist because besides curing damaged muscles, physiotherapy enables a sports person to increase endurance, stamina and overall strength. A bowler's strength lies in his shoulders, robust running and a strong grip, while a footballer needs powerful knee co-ordination and a tennis player, powerful, wrists. A physiotherapist, by working on a sports person's key muscles and joints achieves all this. "Little surprise then that physiotherapy is fast becoming an important aspect in the world of sports.
In a nutshell, it can be concluded that physiotherapy is a many edged weapon in the hands of science because of its multi-dimensional approach to curing disorders and consequently granting a healthier life to millions all over. The flip side is that physiotherapy is not as justifiably used as other sciences and as such the recognition given to it is less than desirable. Vis-à-vis the west, where physiotherapy has rendered medicines redundant, it is still in a very emerging stage in India. But the fact the Hinduja Hospital has a pain management clinic where the physiotherapist is a salient feature, shows its tremendous potential. The layperson resorts to a physiotherapist only in case of severe injuries or debilitating pain. It is human nature to brush off mild aches as hereditary or due to old age. But with the hordes of developments in medicine and increased fitness consciousness, physiotherapy is being given its just desserts and the world is its oyster.