Physiotherapy is defined by the World Physiotherapy confederation as a healthcare service involved with:
“developing, maintaining and restoring people’s maximum movement and functional ability at any stage of life where the person’s health is affected by injury, diseases, disorders, ageing, or environmental factors.”
In simple terms, physiotherapy helps people move better, manage pain, recover from injury or illness, and maintain independence throughout life.
The aim of physiotherapy—just like any healthcare field—is to maximise a person’s quality of life by considering their physical, psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing.
In Namibia, physiotherapy is provided by physiotherapists who hold a university degree and are registered with the Health Professions Council of Namibia before they may practise in the country. Their training equips them to use movement, exercise, hands-on techniques, and education to promote health and restore function.
How Physiotherapy Helps
So what does this mean in practice? Let us consider a few examples.
A person who experiences persistent low back pain from sitting for long hours at work or driving long distances may benefit from physiotherapy. A physiotherapist may use specific movement techniques to reduce muscle spasms and spinal stiffness, helping relieve pain. They would also provide education on posture and prescribe stretches or exercises to help prevent the problem from returning.
Another example is a pensioner who recently started running for fitness and developed knee pain. Although treatment may be directed at the knee, the physiotherapist may also adjust the person’s running schedule, identify contributing factors, and prescribe strengthening and stretching exercises to support safe participation in physical activity.
For a person who has suffered a stroke and struggles to use one side of their body, physiotherapists use specialised facilitation techniques to retrain movement patterns and restore as much function and independence as possible.
More Than Sports Injuries and Back Pain
Physiotherapy also plays an important role in conditions that many people do not typically associate with the profession.
For example, a person experiencing clinical depression or anxiety may spend long periods inactive, sometimes remaining in bed for much of the day. This inactivity can contribute to weight changes, muscle weakness, reduced fitness, and stiffness. Physiotherapists can prescribe tailored exercise programmes to encourage movement, improve physical wellbeing, support mood, and promote social engagement.
Physiotherapists can also assist infants with certain respiratory conditions. A baby with a blocked nose, coughing, or chest congestion caused by mucus build-up may benefit from gentle, specialised techniques designed to help clear mucus from the airways and make breathing easier.
A Whole-Person Approach
As with all healthcare professions, physiotherapists aim to provide holistic and individualised care.
A thorough assessment is performed at the beginning of treatment. This includes evaluating the person’s physical condition, such as affected muscles and joints, posture, movement patterns, and fitness levels. Physiotherapists also consider environmental factors, such as workplace setup, psychological factors such as stress, and social factors such as the availability of support from family or friends.
Physiotherapists are part of the multidisciplinary healthcare team and often work closely with medical doctors, occupational therapists, biokineticists, dieticians, speech therapists, radiologists, orthotists, and many other healthcare professionals. This collaborative approach helps ensure comprehensive and coordinated care.
Conditions Physiotherapists Can Treat
Physiotherapists may assist with a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amputation rehabilitation
- Arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
- Bell’s palsy
- Burns rehabilitation
- Bursitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Cerebral palsy and developmental delays
- Chest infections (bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, and others)
- COVID-19
- Gait re-education
- ICU patient management
- Incontinence
- Joint replacement rehabilitation (hip, knee, elbow, shoulder, and others)
- Joint pain (hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, wrist, elbow, and others)
- Muscle and ligament injuries, pain, and strains
- Spine pain (lower back, thoracic spine, neck, with or without referred pain)
- Post-caesarean rehabilitation
- Post-laparotomy or abdominal surgery rehabilitation
- Post-mastectomy rehabilitation
- Post-tendon surgery rehabilitation
- Pre-natal and post-natal management
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Shin splints
- Sinusitis
- Spine surgery rehabilitation
- Spondylitis
- Sports injuries
- Mental health conditions
- Motor neuron disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscle dystrophy
- Myositis
- Nerve injuries
- Parkinson’s disease
- Spinal cord injury rehabilitation
- Stroke rehabilitation
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ dysfunction) and jaw pain
- And many more
When Should You See a Physiotherapist?
Physiotherapy is a versatile healthcare profession that helps people of all ages improve movement, function, independence, and quality of life. Whether you are recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, preparing for surgery, recovering after surgery, or simply looking to stay active and healthy, a physiotherapist may be able to help.
If you are unsure whether physiotherapy is appropriate for a specific condition affecting you or a family member, consider contacting your preferred physiotherapy practice for advice or an assessment.
Find a physiotherapist here.
About the Staff Writer
The Staff Writer is a member of the NSP Executive Committee. This committee consists of current NSP members who are elected by Society members at the Annual General Meeting. Executive Committee members serve on a voluntary basis while fulfilling various portfolios that support the NSP and the physiotherapy profession in general.
