Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Faculty of Health Sciences Faculty, Department of Physiotherapy Chair Assoc. Prof. Dr. Berkiye Kırmızıgil made a statement about the 8 September, World Physiotherapists Day. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kırmızıgil’s statement reads as follows:
“The physiotherapist is an important health member of the rehabilitation team, who has received undergraduate education in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation and who possesses the necessary knowledge and skills in the said subject. Our profession has been developing as a discipline directly related to public health and health-related quality of life for about 120 years in the world. The World Physiotherapy Confederation adopted the first meeting day in 1996, 8 September, as "World Physiotherapy Day".
Although patients from many other branches are referred, physiotherapists generally receive patients from medical fields such as sports medicine, orthopedics, neurology, rheumatology, pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology, hand surgery, chest diseases, cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, gynecology and obstetrics. While applying treatment and rehabilitation programs, physiotherapists benefit from many methods such as various current exercise approaches, neuromuscular treatment approaches, manual therapy methods, electrotherapy and mechanical agents, taping, functional activity training and vocational rehabilitation approaches.
Our colleagues can work in many different treatment areas such as hospitals, medical centers, special education schools, rehabilitation centers, wellness centers, sports clubs, retirement homes and universities. In addition to their therapeutic services in the field of physiotherapy and rehabilitation, physiotherapists also take part in preventive health services, taking place as the main health personnel in promoting public health and preventing diseases.
The main theme of the World Confederation of Physiotherapy (WCPT) this year has been determined as "The Importance of Physiotherapy in Long Covid-19". As Eastern Mediterranean University Faculty of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department, we wish all colleagues who make life easier and improve people’s quality of life a very happy 8 September World Physiotherapy Day and wish our profession to reach more modern levels in all aspects.”
