Physiotherapy is a health profession centred on promoting movement and functionality. It is defined as the study, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of health conditions that affect the structures and functions of the movement system, as well as the functionality of people, groups or communities, considering kinesiopathological and pathokinesiological frameworks.
In the Physiotherapy process, the Physiotherapist performs the following acts:
a) Exam/assessment:
i) Gather information through observation, interview, manual examination, tests and other measuring instruments, and complementary means of diagnosing the movement system;
ii) Evaluates the movement system, activity and participation in detail;
iii) Record all relevant information collected in the clinical file.
b) Physiotherapy diagnosis:
In accordance with his "leges artis", he draws up the physiotherapy diagnosis, identifying alterations in the movement system, activity limitations and participation restrictions.
c) Prognosis and intervention plan:
It determines the needs for physiotherapy intervention, defines the objectives and indicates the intervention plan, in collaboration with the patient, family, carers and/or representatives, taking into account contextual factors. It also establishes the expected optimum level of improvement and the timeframe needed to achieve it.
d) Intervention:
i) Educates, guides and advises, promoting the adoption of healthy lifestyles, optimising functionality and quality of life;
ii) Prescribes, applies and monitors movement therapy, physical activity and physical exercise in the field of health, including therapeutic exercise aimed in particular at pain and/or dysfunction and clinical exercise aimed at populations with diseases or other special health needs;
iii) Prescribes, applies and monitors manual therapy, including manipulative therapy;
iv) Prescribes, applies and monitors physical therapy, including electrophysical, mechanical and natural means;
v) Prescribes, applies and monitors other interventions based on physiotherapy science, including technological resources, support and innovation.
e) Evaluation of results/change to the intervention:
Evaluate the impact of your intervention, reassessing during and after the intervention, and make changes where necessary.
f) Completion of the Physiotherapy process:
The physiotherapy process ends whenever the planned and agreed objectives have been achieved, or when the intervention is no longer expected to be effective.
The Order of Physiotherapists plays an essential regulatory role, guaranteeing the quality of the services provided, protecting the interests of citizens and ensuring the ethical and competent practice of physiotherapy in Portugal.
Physiotherapists will help you with specific physiotherapy interventions. When you look for a Physiotherapist registered with the Portuguese Bar Association, you are looking for a duly qualified health professional, who acts in accordance with quality standards, subject to a Code of Ethics, Disciplinary Regulations and with the guarantee of professional civil liability insurance.
For more information, please visit Regulation of the Physiotherapist Actand their competences, autonomy and responsibility.
