Definition as per the Maharashtra State Council for Occupational therapy &; Physiotherapy, 2004
Physiotherapy’ is a branch of modern medical science that includes examination, assessment, interpretation, physical diagnosis, planning and execution of treatment and advice to any person for the purpose of preventing, correcting, alleviating, and limiting dysfunction, acute and chronic bodily malfunction including life-saving measures via chest physiotherapy in the intensive care unit, curing physical disorders or disability, promoting physical fitness, facilitating healing and pain relief and treatment of physical and psychological disorders through modulating psychological and physical response using physical agents, activities, and devices including exercise, mobilisation, manipulations, therapeutic ultrasound, electrical and thermal agents and electrotherapy for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
`Physiotherapist’ is a qualified professional who has acquired all the above-mentioned knowledge and skills for entry into practice after being awarded a Bachelor's degree in the subject of “Physiotherapy” from a recognized institute affiliated with the University conducting a full-time course not less than four years and six months of internship. Through the program, the student will acquire theoretical and practical skills to effectively meet patient and community needs. He or she will acquire knowledge, skills, and attitude in basic sciences, medical, behavioural, and social sciences, and physiotherapy core subjects and would be able to integrate them horizontally and vertically throughout the curriculum.
Scope of Practice: The role of physiotherapists in the delivery of health services is rapidly changing and dynamic in nature. Physiotherapy is an autonomous profession; the physiotherapist is a direct care provider, a researcher, an educator, a leader, and an advocate for the profession. The current scope of practice involves but is not limited to acute care, intensive care, diagnosing dysfunction, and building capacity and performance to improve functioning in musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, developmental, and paediatric dysfunctions; gynaecology and women's health, geriatric, wellness, and industrial health and sports across the lifespan. The scope of practice also involves super specialty areas, hand, and various medical and surgical conditions across the spectrum. With increasing technological advances the physiotherapist with sound knowledge of movement science can advance the scope of practice.