Physiotherapy

In Australia today physiotherapists are a vital part of any multidisclipinary health care team - from the Intensive Care Unit to the Olympic Games, you’ll find physiotherapists working alongside their medical colleagues and other health practitioners, to achieve the best possible patient care.

Physiotherapy is the term used to describe the field of physiotherapy practice that relates to disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Physiotherapists who practise in this area are skilled in the assessment, diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal conditions.

The physiotherapy profession recognises the importance of evidence based practice and actively encourages practitioners to consider scientific evidence when developing management programs. So what is the evidence for physiotherapy practice?

How Does Physiotherapy Work?

Physiotherapists are highly trained in assessing musculoskeletal disorders. The clinical reasoning processes employed by them enables them to reach a diagnosis consistent with the findings of their clinical examination because they are highly skilled in their examination of patients.

Benefits of Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists have advanced skills in the assessment, diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal conditions. These skills assist the medical practitioner with accurate, cost effective diagnosis and appropriate evidence based management. Physiotherapists in Australia have world leading expertise in the effective management of pain and other disorders related to the musculoskeletal system.

Evidence on the effectiveness of physical treatments as practiced by physiotherapists is constantly being reviewed. The Manipulative Physiotherapists Association of Australia (MPAA) has recently reviewed the literature on low back pain, based on level I evidence (systematic reviews) and level II evidence (randomised controlled trials).

Spinal manipulative therapy (in short, SMTwhich includes both passive mobilisation and manipulation), McKenzie therapy and promoting early activity is effective in the short-term management of low back pain (ACHPR 1994, van Tulder et al 1997). General exercise programs designed and supervised by physiotherapists result in reduced disability, reduced absenteeism and a faster return to work rate compared to control groups (Frost et al 1995, Gundewall et al 1993, Kellett et al 1991, Mitchell et al 1990, Moffett et al 1999).

Physiotherapists are also pioneering investigations of the proposed mechanisms contributing to chronic and recurrent low back pain by evaluating the effects of specific exercise programs. Evidence to support their efficacy is mounting (O'Sullivan et al 1997). There is strong evidence that SMT is more effective in the management of chronic low back pain than bed rest, analgesics, and massage, with six out of eight trials supporting this evidence (van Tulder et al). More importantly, the combination of SMT and exercise has increasing support in the management of low back pain (Ottenbacher and Difabio 1994, Scheer et al 1995).

Physiotherapy Works!