Definition

Of
Physiotherapy
• Physiotherapy is the treatment of disease or its
after effects by means of various physical
modalities like remedial exercises, heat, water,
cold, electric current, wax etc.
• The word exercise originated from the word
“ex” meaning out and the word “erc” derived
from “arcere” meaning to lock.
• Thus exercise means to unlock or to free a part
to move.
• The fourth Veda of Atharva Veda of ancient India
called Ayur Veda recommended remedial exercise
and massage about eight hundred years before
Christ.
• The field of physiotherapy which was primarily
limited to movements of joints following fracture or
injury has developed into medical specialty with
wide horizons of its application.
• Besides its therapeutic role it also helps in primary
and secondary prevention.
• Physiotherapy is dedicated to the restoration
of the human function which has been
impaired due to disease, trauma or injury and
concentrates on the psychological, physical,
emotional and social well being of a person.
• Today, it is undertaken to cure almost every
ailment and injuries related to the bones,
muscles and joints.
 Definition
• A simple definition - by oxford’s dictionary.
The treatment of disease, injury, or deformity
by physical methods such as massage, heat
treatment and exercise rather than by drugs
or surgery.
The World Cofederation of Physical Therapy

• "providing services to people and

populations to develop, maintain and restore
maximum movement and functional ability
throughout the lifespan"
• This includes providing services in
circumstances where movement and function
are threatened by ageing, injury, pain,
diseases, disorders, conditions or
environmental factors. 

Functional movement is central to what it

means to be healthy.
 APTA definition
• physical therapy should be defined as the
examination, treatment, and instruction of
persons in order to detect, assess, prevent,
correct, alleviate, and limit physical disability
and bodily malfunction.
• The practice of physical therapy includes the
administration, interpretation, and evaluation
of tests, measurements of bodily functions
and structures, planning, administration,
evaluation, and modification of treatment and
instruction, including the use of physical
measures, activities, and devices, for
preventive and therapeutic purposes.
• Additionally, it provides consultative,
educational, and other advisory services for
the purpose of reducing the incidence and
severity of physical disability, bodily
malfunction, movement dysfunction, and
pain.
 IAP Definition
• Physiotherapy means physiotherapeutic system of
medicine which includes examination, treatment,
advice and instructions to any person preparatory to
or for the purpose of or in connection with
movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, physical
disorder, disability, and pain from trauma and disease,
physical and mental conditions using physical agents
including exercise, mobilization, manipulation,
mechanical and electrotherapy, activity and devices
or diagnosis, treatment and prevention
 (ICF)
• International Classification of Functioning, Disability and
Health

Physiotherapists are concerned with the

functional status of their patients and the aim
of physiotherapy interventions is to maintain
or improve current level of functioning or to
prevent deterioration.
• The ICF, endorsed by the World Health Assembly
in 2001, is the international standard for
describing functioning and disability. 
• most appropriate common language and
framework for documenting person-cenetred
information on the functional changes associated
with physical therapy interventions.
 WHO DEFINITION:
• Occupation group ISCO code Definition
Physiotherapists 2264
Physiotherapists assess, plan and implement rehabilitative programs
that improve or restore human motor functions, maximize movement
ability, relieve pain syndromes, and treat or prevent physical
challenges associated with injuries, diseases and other impairments.
• They apply a broad range of physical therapies and techniques such
as movement, ultrasound, heating, laser and other techniques.
• They may develop and implement programmes for screening and
prevention of common physical ailments and disorders.
• Physiotherapist, Geriatric physical therapist,
Orthopaedic physical therapist, Paediatric
physical therapist
This category includes occupations for which
competent performance usually requires
formal training at a higher educational
institution in physiotherapy or a related field.
 Canadian definition
• physiotherapy involves the assessment and
treatment of disorders of the cardio
respiratory, Musculo-skeletal and nervous
systems causing impaired physical function.
The goal of the physical therapist is to
enhance the individual's capacity for
functional movement, thereby maximizing
independence.
 A u s t r a l i a n A s s o c i a ti o n o f
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a health profession
concerned with maximizing, mobility
and quality of life by using clinical
reasoning to select and apply the
appropriate treatment.
Physiotherapy practice has a long
history and modern clinical practice
is heavily reliant on research
evidence.
Thank you