Physiotherapy is a constantly expanding profession. Since it first took root after the First World War, physiotherapy has evolved in terms of the scope of conditions it can treat, the range of people being treated and the skill level of its practitioners. What began as a drug-free method to rehabilitate injured veterans is now a registered health care profession chosen by men, women and children for treatment of pain, injury and chronic illness.

Physiotherapy is a continuously growing profession — growing in terms of the number of practitioners and growing in the range of conditions that can be treated.

Physiotherapists make important contributions to the health and well-being of people every day. As primary care professionals, physiotherapists promote mobility, wellness and independence for all ages and use their extensive education and clinical experience to assess, diagnose and treat a broad range of conditions. Physiotherapists know how the body works, how to keep it moving and how to get it moving again.

But not everyone understands when to choose physiotherapy. The message is getting through, but there is still a gap in understanding. Patients are becoming much more informed as to how physiotherapy can contribute to enhancing their level of wellness. What perhaps is not completely understood by the general public is the breadth of the scope of physiotherapy.

Physiotherapists do more than help rehabilitate people after an accident or injury. They help manage cancer and chronic lung disease, care for musculoskeletal conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, help stroke patients recover, aid in treatment of developmental delays in children, and even help prevent chronic disease.