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Offering high quality, professional Physiotherapy services focusing on uniting clinical skills with evidenced based outcome orientated treatment. |
Journal Links
Journal of Orthopaedic Sports Physical Therapy
Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Australian Journal of Physiotherapy
Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Journal of Electromyography & Kinesiology
Incorporating:
United Physiotherapy Clinic
The Academy of Physiotherapy & Physical Therapy - Our teaching and education programmes for Physiotherapists / Physical Therapists*
*Physiotherapists / Physical Therapists must be members or eligible for membership of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy group (www.wcpt.org) to attend our courses. We have welcomed several medical doctors to our programmes and the criteria for attendance is the possession of MD status
What is Physiotherapy / Physical Therapy?
Physiotherapy / Physical Therapy is a professional scientific healthcare discipline that has distinct historical roots significantly linked to the development of physical medicine and rehabilitation in Europe and America for over a century. Though the original roots can be traced back through western medicines development for 2000 years. The modern historical landmark dates for the development of the profession include:
1894 - United Kingdom / 1905 - Ireland / 1921 - United States of America
Physiotherapy is involved in the assessment, rehabilitation and prevention of movement disorders. The Physiotherapist utilises various forms of Physical Therapy to assist in the treatment of patients. Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy terms are professional titles that are inter-changeable. They are earned on the basis of completion of usually a Science degree in Physiotherapy or Physical Therapy and the meeting of local laws and statutes for license etc where applicable. In Ireland the Health Professions Bill 2005 sets out the legislative issues for the profession of physiotherapy in Ireland. The World Confederation For Physical Therapy is the world body representing the profession. Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy are seen as interchangeable terms such as in the medical profession: Physician and Medical Doctor. The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) is considered the sole authority on Physiotherapy / Physical Therapy in Ireland according to the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (www.wcpt.ie). The WCPT represents over a quarter of a million (270,000) professionally trained Physiotherapists / Physical Therapists world wide.
A
Message from the WCPT President
"A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings."
Hippocrates (460 BC-377BC)
"Physical therapy, known in some countries as physiotherapy, had its
beginnings in Hippocrates' time. The ancient Greeks understood that the capacity
to move is a vital element of health and well being and today, physical therapy
is an essential part of health services delivery systems around the world".
(www.wcpt.org)
Physiotherapy is committed to applying evidenced based practice in the context of Patients Goals, Beliefs, Research and Clinical Reasoning. The Chartered Physiotherapist respects the rights of individuals and confidentiality and follows a well defined code of ethics. The patient is central to the process and Chartered Physiotherapists adhere to a self regulation on advertisement. Physiotherapists do not utilise patients as a form of advertisement.
The main pillars of the profession include but not limited to:
Massage & Soft Tissue Techniques: Physiotherapists were the main traditional healthcare profession to advance massage in the last century
Manual Therapy: Physiotherapists became involved in manual and manipulative therapies from such pioneers as Dr James Cyriax, Dr John Mennel, Freddie Kaltenborn, Dr Stanley Paris, Geoffery Maitland, David Butler and many many others.
Dry Needling & Acupuncture: In recent years physiotherapists have become increasing involved in dry needling and acupuncture.
Exercise: Formerly known as Medical Gymnastics, this has been the main pillar of physiotherapy and remains an integral part of the profession. An example of this is the development of the the McKenzie exercise programme for discogenic pain, postural and dysfunction syndromes. Physiotherapist have also lead in the development and research of core stability programmes.
Electro physical agents: This includes many differing forms of treatment including heat and cold, LASER, Ultrasound, Interferential, Short Wave etc. The modality is chosen in regard to the the presenting problem, the specific mechanisms of action.
Education: This is probably the single most important factor. The extensive knowledge of the physiotherapist in anatomical, physiological and pathology of the neuro-musculo-skeletal is vital in addressing the pertinent issues for each patient. Educating the patient on the role of movement and avoidance of fear of movement is a very important factor. The advice your physiotherapist can give you is often the most important aspect of your plan of care. Knowing when to place the hands on and the hands off is of vital importance in the physiotherapy plan of care.
Referral: Referral to a Medical Doctor is often required to addresses and evaluate disease process's of which the physician is expert.
Physiotherapists train in various physiotherapy speciality areas that include but are not limited to:
orthopaedics, soft tissue and sports, rheumatology, neurology, respiratory, care of the elderly, paediatrics, women's health, ergonomics, pain
The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) is considered by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy as the sole authoritative body for Physiotherapy / Physical Therapy in Ireland
The ISCP is the Irish equivalent to the American Physical Therapy Association and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (UK) and represents approximately 3000 physiotherapists
Physiotherapists / Physical Therapists are actively involved in research and both clinical and academic and are more and more active in published literature.
Linked Organisations
Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
International Association for the Study of Pain
American Physical Therapy Association
World Confederation for Physical Therapy
National Coaching and Training Centre
Trinity College Dublin - Physiotherapy School
University College Dublin - Physiotherapy School
