World Physiotherapy Day 2023

World Physiotherapy Day is observed all over the world to generate awareness about the crucial contribution of the branch of PHYSIOTHERAPY to medicine and society. Physiotherapy enables people to be mobile, well, and independent. This is observed on the 8th of September every year.

Physiotherapy, also Physical Therapy as referred to by the WCPT, is a health care profession concerned with human function and movement and maximizing physical potential. It is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potentials within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment/intervention, and habilitation.  It is science-based, committed to extending, applying, evaluating and reviewing the evidence that underpins and informs its practice and delivery.

The focus for this year’s World PT Day on the 8th of September is arthritis, with an in-depth look at some forms of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis. This follows on from the theme for 2022, which focused on osteoarthritis. 

 What is arthritis?

Arthritis is defined as an acute or chronic joint inflammation. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, stiffness, and redness which may contribute to reduced function and dexterity.

Arthritis isn’t a single condition; there are many different types. It can affect people of all ages and physical fitness – including children, teenagers, and athletes.

Some forms of arthritis are more common in older people. Whatever specific type of arthritis you have, remaining physically active and choosing healthy lifestyle behaviors will help you stay mobile and able to participate in activities that are meaningful to you.

Arthritis can make life difficult by reducing mobility and making everyday activities harder to do. It can affect people's ability to work and participate in social and leisure activities. The symptoms of arthritis can vary from week to week, and even from day to day. However, with the right treatment and approach you can manage your symptoms and live well.

Types of arthritis

The most common types includes: 

• osteoarthritis

• rheumatoid arthritis
  

Symptoms of arthritis

Arthritis affects people in different ways and each condition will have specific symptoms. However, some common joint symptoms are:

• joint pain

• stiffness (particularly early morning)

• inflammation (swelling)

• warm or red skin over the affected joint

• weakness and loss of muscle mass

Certain types of arthritis can have symptoms not directly related to your joints, such as

• widespread pain

• extreme fatigue

• scaly, itchy skin (psoriasis)

• changes to finger or toe nails

• rashes

• fever

• weight loss

• symptoms that affect other body systems, including eyes, heart, lungs and nerves.

How physiotherapy can help

It’s important to stay active and keep moving when you have arthritis. Physiotherapists are part of a multidisciplinary team that can help you manage your arthritis. They will be able to assess your condition and abilities and guide you on how to keep active and help manage your symptoms.

Strategies might include

• devising an exercise programme tailored to your needs

• building your strength, stamina, mobility, and activity levels

• helping you find the balance between rest and activity

• helping you identify helpful lifestyle choices

• supporting you to develop skills to manage pain, swelling, and stiffness

• helping you modify activities at work and home

• assess you holistically and help you access care from other professionals, such as medical specialists, psychologists, occupational therapists.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis and one of the most common. It is an autoimmune disease that most commonly affects the joints of the hands, wrists, shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles and feet.

It can affect adults of any age, but most commonly starts among people between the ages of 40 and 60. It’s more common in women than men.

Symptoms of RA

 There are a number of symptoms that may suggest RA, these vary from person to person.

 The most common include:

•  swollen and painful joints for more than 6 weeks

• swelling and stiffness in joints in the morning (lasting more than 30 minutes)

• severe tiredness (fatigue)

• a general feeling of being unwell and possible loss of weight

• loss of stamina

• loss of muscle bulk

• reduced ability to do daily activities, e.g. at work, home, and leisure

• skin lumps (nodules), eye dryness or redness.

Physical activity and exercise can help:

• physical fitness – strengthen your heart and lungs

• muscle strength and endurance

• flexibility and range of joint motion

• balance

• pain and fatigue

• depression

• prevent a loss of bone density

Even if you can at first only manage 10 minutes of physical activity and exercise at a time, it is important to start somewhere.

Aim to reduce your physical inactivity and time spent sitting, and slowly increase the amount of time you are active. Your physiotherapist can guide you in an activity program that is right for you.

Types of exercise

Physical activity and exercise are important for keeping joints as mobile as possible and strengthening muscles. It can also reduce the risk of developing other diseases such as CVD, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and diabetes.

There are different types of exercises you can do that are suitable for people with RA.

You should aim to do a mixture of the following:

• mobility exercises

• muscle strengthening exercises

• aerobic exercises (exercise that makes you breathe harder)

• balance exercises

Exercise is a key management strategy for reducing disability and improving overall health in people with RA. A physiotherapist will be able to assess your condition, guide you in how to manage your symptoms, and show you exercises that are right for you. A physiotherapist helps you start increasing your physical activity safely.

World PT Day celebrations by the team at the RNZ Occupational Hospital in Port Harcourt

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 RNZ PHYSIOTHERAPY TEAM