Celebrating World Physiotherapy Day 

Physiotherapist Aravinda (left) who played a vital role in the Asia Cup Championship for the Sri Lanka women's cricket team is being felicitated

Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Marking the World Physiotherapy Day- which was on September 8- College of Physiotherapists organised a scientific session and a workshop on September 9 at the lecture hall of the National Hospital Colombo. 

Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Palitha Mahipala, was the chief guest at the celebrations. Senior consultant medical practitioners and senior physiotherapists shared their knowledge through talks and displaying of practical lessons. 

One of the members of the College, Physiotherapist, Aravinda, who played a vital role in the Sri Lanka women’s cricket team, which contested the Asia Cup, was felicitated for his contribution made to the country’s sports and the field of physiotherapy. 

“Physiotherapy offers cure for diseases without complications. Nowadays many patients are seeking physiotherapy for many medical conditions in Sri Lanka as it is an effective, long standing mode of treatment throughout the developing countries,” said Jaliya Uduwella Superintendent Physiotherapist attached to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital and also the President College of Physiotherapists Sri Lanka. 

 “The key reason for this is that no chemical substance is used in physiotherapy. When treating with medicines or chemicals, complications or reactions may occur in the patient. But in physiotherapy there are no such complications or reactions,” he added.

Physiotherapy is defined as the treatment of using energy factors, e.g. light, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism and also with physical exercises, Uduwella explained.

Physiotherapy helps to restore the functions with the total rehabilitation of the patient’s physical, psychological and spiritual well-being.

Physiotherapists assess the patient and plan the treatment. Physiotherapy treatment can be divided into seven categories, elector therapy, therapeutic exercises, hydrotherapy, chest physiotherapy, manipulative procedure positioning and treatment with appliances.

He said that patients seek physiotherapy treatments, interventions mostly for diseases in the fields of Neurology, Rheumatology, Paediatrics Gynecology, Geriatrics Respiratory and Orthopedic.