About Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a health care profession concerned with helping people reach their optimal level of function. Chartered Physiotherapists are involved in most aspects of health to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being. The treatments used may include various forms of exercise, education on how to manage a condition independently, using manual techniques with their hands and different types of equipment and technology. These treatments are based on the best scientific evidence available, and physiotherapists combine knowledge of research findings with their clinical judgement to determine the most appropriate treatments and to evaluate their effects.

Physiotherapists treat people of all ages. Most people who require medical help in a hospital will encounter a physiotherapist. Increasingly Physiotherapy treatments are being offered to people within a range of community settings i.e. health centres and residential care, workplaces, schools, and in the home. While sports physiotherapy is often the most visible aspect of physiotherapy, it represents only a small part of the overall work of physiotherapists. Training to become a physiotherapist includes working with people with chest problems such as chronic bronchitis, children with limited mobility, people who have had a stroke and those who have joint and mobility problems.

Physiotherapists may work independently, or as an integral member of a multidisciplinary health team. The diversity of physiotherapy is one of its primary attractions. If you are considering a career as a physiotherapist you are strongly advised to talk to physiotherapists working in the HSE and voluntary sectors to gain an understanding of both the intensity of the qualifying programme and also the demands of the job.

Physiotherapy at 51��ɫ is part of the School of Allied Health in the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences. Our BSc in Physiotherapy is accredited by the (ISCP) which is a member organisation of the (WCPT).

Physiotherapy teaching expertise and research interests include:

Implementation of evidence based practice
Interventions for promoting physical activity in chronic conditions
Behaviour change to promote physical activity
Inter-professional education
Rehabilitation of people with
- Stroke and Multiple Sclerosis
- Cardio-respiratory problems
- �ċ�ċ�ċ�ċ�ċ�ċPain, including arthritis, spinal and joint pain