31^st European Nutrition and Dietetics Conference

Physiotherapy

Physical therapy (physiotherapy) is a health profession concerned with the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and disability through physical means. It is based upon principles of medical science, and is generally held to be within the sphere of conventional (rather than alternative) medicine. Physiotherapy is practiced by physiotherapists. Physiotherapy originated from massage performed by nurses at the end of the 19th century. Nowadays it is a branch of rehabilitative health that uses specially designed exercises and equipment to help patients regain or improve their physical abilities. Physiotherapy goal is to enhance a life through improved health and fitness, by encouraging a person to take charge of the health and teaching techniques for recovery, pain relief, injury prevention, and improved physical movement.