fbpx

KidsKonnect

Physiotherapist Facts & Worksheets

Physiotherapists are professionals who study the science of movement.

Search for Worksheets

Worksheets /Careers /Physiotherapist Facts & Worksheets
Premium
Not ready to purchase a subscription? Click to download the free sample version   Download sample

Most people like to be physically active to maintain a healthy lifestyle, while others enjoy doing sports regularly. However, injuries and pains are sometimes inevitable. When a person experiences these disturbances or if it affects their daily life, they seek the help of a physiotherapist.

See the fact file below for more information on physiotherapist, or you can download our 27-page physiotherapist worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Brief History

  • Professionals who study the science of movement are called physiotherapists.
  • They help people overcome their injuries and disabilities through movement and exercises, therapy, and providing counsels.
  • Physiotherapists diagnose and create a management plan after they assess the history and physical examination of the patients.
  • It was believed that Hippocrates and Galen started practicing physiotherapy as early as 400 BCE.
  • They incorporated treatments such as manual therapy techniques, massages, and hydrotherapy into their patients.
  • Compared with doctors and nurses, physiotherapists use manual techniques and skills to help in the recovery of patients.
  • Following the development of orthopedics during the 18th century was the invention of machines, such as the Gymnasticon, and those used in physical therapy.
  • Early evidence of physical therapy as a professional group can be traced back to 1813 by Per Henrik Ling or the Father of Swedish Gymnastics.
  • Physical therapists were officially registered in 1887 by Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare and were soon followed by other countries.
  • The fast advances in physical therapy led to the establishment of modern physical therapy.
  • The women were recruited and helped in the ailment and recovery of the physical functions of injured soldiers.
  • During this time, the field of physiotherapy became established.
  • Reconstruction Aide was the first term used to refer to a physiotherapist during 1918.
  • Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C, sheltered the first physical therapy school.
  • During the 1950s, physical therapists started outpatient duties, entering rehabilitation centers, schools, universities, and geriatric settings.
  • The establishment of the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists played a significant role in the advancements of manual therapy worldwide.

Kinds of Physiotherapists

  • Most people think that physiotherapists only treat athletes.
  • Little did they know that there are several types of physiotherapists.
  • Sports Physiotherapist. A sports physiotherapist does not only help an athlete recover from an injury; he also helps them reach their best condition so they can perform to their fullest.
  • Back Pain Physiotherapist. Several people complain about back pain as they grow older. These are the patients that back pain physiotherapists usually help. 
  • They specialize in treating the conditions of the back and are knowledgeable about the positioning of the neck and shoulder and posture and sleeping assessments.
  • Some conditions they treat are arthritis, herniated discs, lower back pain, thoracic spine pain, back spasms, and pulled muscles.
  • Orthopedic Physiotherapist. The pain and injuries in tendons, bones, muscles, and ligaments are treated by orthopedic physiotherapists. They help patients with deformities or dysfunctions in the skeletal system. 
  • Pediatric Physiotherapist. Pediatric physiotherapist specialize in providing treatments and achieving the best physical development of children and youth with ages ranging from birth until 25.
  • Concussion / TBI Physiotherapist. Concussion injuries are treated by physiotherapists. They help the patient reduce head and neck pains, recover cognitive function, improve balance, and lead them back to work and other physical activities. The effective methods they use are safe and drug-free.
  • Neurological Rehabilitation Physiotherapist. Patients suffering from neurological conditions can be entrusted to a neurological rehabilitation physiotherapist. They use a phenomenon called neuroplasticity as part of their treatment method. Some conditions that they specialize in are traumatic head or brain injury, Bell’s palsy, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and spinal cord injury.
  • Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist. They specialize in the assessment and giving treatment to patients suffering from pelvic floor problems. Muscles can be worn out with surgery, childbirth, overweight, constipation, heavy lifting, or menopause. These conditions can weaken the pelvic floor muscles; therefore, the specialization of this kind of physiotherapist must be sought.

Qualities of A Physiotherapist

  • To become a good physiotherapist does not only mean knowing what assessment and treatments should be given to each patients.
  • Here are some of the qualities that must be considered when choosing the profession of physiotherapy.
  • Realistic and honest in assessing and providing treatments to patients.
  • Patient in giving the treatment and when encountering stubborn patients.
  • Building a good relationship with the patient to establish an effective treatment plan.
  • Compassionate in the chosen profession.
  • Stay motivated and determined to set as an inspiration to your parents.
  • Respectful and values integrity.
  • Attentive to details.
  • Open to communication and be comprehensible.

Famous Physiotherapists

  • Pehr Henrik Ling developed natural gymnastics and is considered the father of physical therapy.
  • Mary McMillan  is known as the founding mother of PT in the United States. After her training and education in England, she went back to the United States, then started practicing with other physical education graduates who helped in the World War I survivors’ rehabilitation. She became the first official reconstruction aide in the United States. This led her to teach and train other women to become re-aide.
  • Enid Graham envisioned a combination of medical gymnastics, massage, electrotherapy, and muscle training into a single practice. She co-created a physiotherapy diploma at the University of Toronto and was a founding member of the Canadian Association of Massage and Remedial Gymnastics. She was hailed a Person of National Historic Significance of Canada in 2014.
  • Berta Bobath is a German physiotherapist who was trained as a gymnast teacher. In 1940s, she and her husband developed the Bobath concept which was a method of rehabilitation and therapy.
  • Robin McKenzie developed a technique called McKenzie method during 1950s and launched the Mechanical Diagnosis (MDT). His contributions in treatments of the spine were highly recognized around the world.

How to Be A Physiotherapist

  • To become a physiotherapist, you must obtain an undergraduate degree and diploma.
  • Depending on where you live, most countries require additional years to study and practice the course.
  • Some countries recommend taking the three-year Doctor of Physiotherapy.
  • A person who pursues this career is required to take the examination and obtain a physiotherapist license.
  • Licensed physiotherapists can specialize in different areas of physiotherapy.
  • It depends on where they will be employed or what they choose to specialize in.

Physiotherapist Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about a Physiotherapist across 27 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about a Physiotherapist, a professional who studies the science of movement.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Career: Physiotherapist Facts
  2. Identification
  3. Legendaries
  4. Qualities of A Physiotherapist
  5. Guess My Job
  6. Who Can Treat Me?
  7. The Truth
  8. Dream Job
  9. My Exercise
  10. Prejudice and Truth
  11. Think About It

Frequently Asked Questions

What is unique about a physiotherapist?

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that helps people stay healthy by looking at their physical health and giving them exercises to do. This might include assisting people to recover from an injury or illness.

Why is it important to see a physiotherapist?

Physiotherapists help to treat a lot of different problems with the body. This includes bones, muscles, the cardiovascular system, and other body parts. Physiotherapists can help people manage chronic illnesses by suggesting different lifestyle changes, recommending exercises and equipment to improve daily living, and providing health advice.

Is a physiotherapist a doctor?

A physiotherapist is not a doctor. They are someone who helps people stay healthy and advises them on how to be healthy. Physiotherapists do not prescribe medication or perform surgery.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

Link will appear as Physiotherapist Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 15, 2022

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

Related Resources