Monday, 18 April 2016

Physiotherapist: just a masseur? By Agathe LAFOY

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"On behalf of my daughter, thank you! Sessions with physiotherapists were set up ever since we got back. They gave her the ability to walk again, also giving her autonomy to take a simple shower for example". This phrase was written by the father of a young disabled girl in the letter he sent to the hospital which took care of her.

People often think a physiotherapist’s task is just to massage, but after having done a work experience placement with a physiotherapist, I can assure you he can “save” people; in fact, he can help people retrieve their motor skills or a functional capacity which they had lost. That is why we can say that a physiotherapist can change lives.

An individual who suffers from the loss of motor control after a car crash for example, could think his or her future is to stay in bed all day long… But, if they are motivated, the physiotherapist can help the patient to make one step, then two, then three… From the point of view of a valid person, it may seem ridiculous; but for the patient it is a miracle! The physiotherapist can give joy to someone who always thought that he could not take advantage of life.

In the case of a man who was born with a cerebral motor disease, making him suffer from the constant contraction of his muscles, the goal of the physiotherapist will not be to get him walking again but to avoid permanent contraction of his muscles. In other words, the physiotherapist will try to make this patient more comfortable in his body. During my work experience, I saw a 27-year-old man who had this disease. He was so happy when the physiotherapist finally succeeded in straightening his leg, after massages to heat his muscles!

I want to be a physiotherapist. Yes, I would like to turn sad lives into ones full of happiness. I would like to see that smile on an old woman’s face; a smile which means "thanks!"

Links:

http://leya-mk.blogspot.fr/2012/06/ces-petits-riens.html

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