Marking this year’s World Physiotherapy Day, panelists on Ultimate Health today discuss the role of physiotherapy in the treatment of disability and its related issues.

Physical therapists have a key role in supporting people with illness and disability to participate fully in society.

Their specialisation allows them to identify factors that prevent people from being as active and independent as they can be and finding ways of overcoming them through rehabilitation, science based exercise prescription and promotion of physical activity.  

Research shows that people with a disability are less likely to be employed or playing an active part in society. This waste of potential has more than a personal cost. Lack of participation by people with disabilities costs some economies 7% of their gross domestic product.

Physiotherapy is a health care is associated with the remediation of impairments and disabilities and the promotion of mobility, functional ability, quality of life and movement potential through examination, evaluation, diagnosis and physical intervention. 

Clinical Director at the Accra Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic Anna Houghton and President of the Ghana Physiotherapy Association Johnathan Quartey discuss more on the show. Take a listen.