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Physical therapy
Physical
therapy (also known as physiotherapy) is a health vocation concerned
with the assessment, diagnosis, and action 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 conservative
(rather than alternative) medicine. Physiotherapy is practiced
by physiotherapists (also known as physical therapists, e.g. in
the United States), though aspect may also be practiced under
supervised delegation by physiotherapy assistant or other health
professionals.
Scope of practice
Physiotherapists'
scope of practice varies considerably across the world, together
in terms of the degree of professional autonomy enjoyed and the
range of conditions managed.
Physiotherapists
in some jurisdictions, 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. Conversely, physiotherapists in some other jurisdictions
work upon referral from, and largely under the direction of, other
professionals (typically medical practitioners).
The major
conditions manage by physiotherapists can be broadly grouped into
three categories: musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary and neurological.
Many areas of physiotherapy, e.g. rehabilitation or pediatrics,
cross all three areas. Depending on the local healthcare system,
physiotherapists may be concerned in all areas, or may only manage
certain aspects (e.g. in some United States jurisdictions, respiratory
therapists manage many aspects of cardiopulmonary therapy).
Depending
on the arrangement of the local healthcare system, physiotherapists
may function either privately (e.g. in a private clinic) or publicly
(e.g. in a hospital or community setting). Furthermore, physiotherapists
may work as generalists managing a wide range of conditions, or
may specialize in certain fields. The process of determining career
structure and specialization varies geographically.
Types of Phsicaltherapy
 History
of physiotherapy
Musculoskeletal
physiotherapy
Neurological
physiotherapy
Cardiopulmonary
physiotherapy
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