World Physical Therapy Day 2024

In this world suffering from any kind of pain is the worst thing anyone deals with and one who helps in healing from that pain is no less than God. Every year on September 8, World Physical Therapy Day is observed to highlight the value that physiotherapists play in helping people stay fit. Just like every year this year also there is a theme set for 2024 and this time “Lower Back Pain” is the main focus area.

History of World Physical Therapy Day

On the 8th of September 1996, it was declared that World Physical Therapy Day would be observed every year. It was done by the World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) now known as World Physiotherapy, and it is done in memory of the organisation's founding in 1951. This is done to highlight the valuable contributions physiotherapists make to health and welfare as well as their significant role in society.

Types of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a treatment in medical science that uses body movement to cure the injuries or pain caused to any body part due to lifestyle or any accident. Doctors recommend this treatment, and it is also preferred by the patient rather than going through the surgical procedure. 

There are different types of physical therapy that are used to cure the patient according to parts of the body and injuries they have and they are:

Pediatric Physical Therapy 

Pediatric physical therapy is the branch of physiotherapy that is done to cure problems among children between the ages of Day 1 to 18 years. It is used to cure various acute injuries like acquired or congenital conditions, delayed physical growth, and neurological disorders like cerebral palsy. 

Orthopedic Physical Therapy 

Due to daily lifestyle or injuries that were neglected when it was minor and by the time they became major problems in the bones of the neck, shoulder, legs, spine etc. All these problems are cured with orthopedic physiotherapy and also it is used to cure injuries, surgery pain, illness etc.

Neurological Physical Therapy

Neurological illnesses or injuries are the kinds of problems that arise due to nerves of the human body. The injuries and illnesses related to nerves are done with the help of neurological physical therapy and improve the mobility and function of the body. 

Geriatric Physical Therapy

When an individual reaches the age of 65 and above joints and muscles of the body become less effective. To increase the mobility and function of the body at this age physical therapy is necessary. Geriatric physical therapy is a treatment that is given to people of older age to increase the mobility and functions of the body.

Benefits of Physical Therapy

There are several benefits of physical therapy that help an individual in different ways and those benefits are:

• It helps in reducing pain and gives relief to the body after physical therapy has been given by the physiotherapist.
• Physical therapy involves stretching and strengthening exercise that improves balance, mobility and prevent falls.
• Physical therapy helps in overcoming the injuries after surgery and helps in quick recovery by reducing the pain.
• It is totally drug-free and there are no side effects of these treatments because only movement of the body parts in different ways is done to cure the injuries. 
• In many case, physical therapy is used to cure injuries and it helps an individual from severe surgeries.

World Physical Therapy Day Theme of 2024

Every year on the 8th of September, World Physical Therapy Day is observed and there is a theme set by World Physiotherapy. This year 2024 lower back pain is the theme and awareness for the same will be spread among the people of the world.

Health Insurance Coverage for Physical Therapy

There are some health insurance plans that cover physical therapy treatment and bear the expenses of this treatment if required. It is available in the post-hospitalisation coverage which is given for 180 days after getting discharged from the hospital and it should be prescribed by the doctor. Physical therapy coverage will be given only for the specific part of the body for which you have taken treatment in the hospital.

A plan that covers physical therapy: