What Is the Definition of Physiotherapy and How Physiotherapy Works

Physiotherapist are qualified and trained healthcare professionals who provide services that develop, maintain and restore people’s maximum movement and functional ability.

Photo: When Roberto De Vido, a former collegiate track athlete (competed in two World Championships, near-miss to represent Hong Kong in Olympic Games, and sub-2:30 marathoner), gets an Achilles tendon injury, he comes to a physiotherapist who truly understands runners and athletes.

Physiotherapists (also called ‘Physical Therapist) are independent allied healthcare practitioners in Singapore who successfully completed university-level degree programs that enables them to identify and maximise quality of life and functional movement potential, within the spheres of promotion, prevention, maintenance, intervention, treatment and rehabilitation.

According to Singapore’s Ministry of Health, “Physiotherapy involves the prevention, assessment and treatment of disorders of human movement due to physical disabilities, trauma or illness. It helps patients relieve pain, improve muscle strength, joint range and mobility, increase exercise tolerance and improve respiratory function.”

Physiotherapists are qualified and professionally trained to:

• Undertake a comprehensive examination/assessment of the patient/client or needs of a client group;
• Evaluate the findings from the examination/assessment to make clinical judgments regarding patients/clients;
• Formulate a diagnosis, prognosis and plan;
• Provide consultation within their expertise and determine when patients/clients need to be referred to another healthcare professional;
• Implement a physiotherapist intervention/treatment programme;
• determine the outcomes of any interventions/treatments; and,
• Make recommendations for self-management.

Not all allied physiotherapist healthcare practitioners may be able to conduct the full range of services and activities listed above. Each individual physiotherapist’s scope of practice is highly dependent on the level of educational training, experience and competence attained by the respective practitioner. So it’s important that you see a qualified and trained professional for your condition. Many times, your physician may refer you to a physiotherapist, but you can always ask them to make a referral to another physiotherapist with more than two decades of trusted experience, such as HelloPhysio.

At any stage of life when movement, mobility and function are hindered by age, injury, disease, disorders, conditions or other environmental factors, physiotherapist work to maximise people’s quality of life, looking at physical, psychological, emotional and social wellbeing. Physiotherapists work closely with physician counterparts to ensure patients receives the right advice on home activities, return to sports, and progression of a well-rounded treatment program. Through a holistic approach, physiotherapy practitioners help individual patients achieve movement to the maximum extent possible and to reduce the risk for further future injury or re-injury.

Through a variety of treatment techniques – e.g.,  adjunct modalities featuring state-of-the-art equipment such as non-invasive focal extracorporeal shockwave, long-wave radiofrequency, Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy, Photobiomodulation near infrared red light, therapeutic exercises, and other approaches – combined with hands-on manual skills, a physiotherapist helps patients get back to their original physical state towards a healthier lifestyle.

If you’re experiencing any pain, joint range mobility, or have recently experienced an injury or surgery, let us help you say ‘Goodbye To Pain’ today.

HelloPhysio’s founding physiotherapist, Jenny Huang, received a masters in physical therapy from the University of Texas of graduating magna cum laude. With more than 20 years of practice experience, she strives to provide the highest model of patient care and specialises in treating injuries and sports rehabilitation. As a podium-placing ultra, marathon and duathlete, she is an brand ambassador of New Balance, Garmin, Jabra, Gatorade, Compressport, EloWater and Theragun. She is a member of the Singapore Physiotherapy Association.