Dr Pardeep Mahotra
Physiotherapy is not just an option in modern medicine;it is a necessity for a healthier society. Every year on September 08, World Physiotherapy Day is celebrated, which reminds us that this discipline is central to preventing disease, restoring mobility, and empowering patients to lead independent lives. Once narrowly viewed as post-injury support, physiotherapy is now recognized worldwide as a science-driven, independent medical discipline. In India too, with the establishment of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions, physiotherapists have been approved long-awaited autonomy. This recognition has recognized physiotherapy at its rightful place as a frontline service, essential for addressing the complex health challenges of our time.
A Discipline for Every Stage of Life
Unlike most medical interventions that target specific phases of illness, physiotherapy provides continuous care throughout life. It supports women during pregnancy and postnatal recovery, helps children overcome developmental delays or sports injuries, addresses workplace-related disorders such as back and neck pain in adults, and prevents falls and disabilities in the elderly. In neurological conditions like stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, physiotherapy plays an irreplaceable role in restoring independence and dignity. It is not an episodic service but a lifelong companion, blending medical science with compassion and empowering individuals to manage their own health.
The Financial Roadblock
Yet, despite its immense scope, physiotherapy in India remains underutilized. The greatest barrier is affordability. Effective physiotherapy often requires weeks, months, or even years of consistent treatment. Patients recovering from paralysis, spinal injuries, or major surgeries need regular therapy to regain function. But for most families, prolonged treatment is unaffordable, forcing them to abandon therapy midway. The result is incomplete recovery, recurring disabilities, and loss of livelihood. Physiotherapy, though proven and essential, remains out of reach for crores of people, highlighting the urgent need for strong government intervention.
Government Responsibility and Micro-Level Clinics
Healthcare agencies at both, the national and state level, including the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory administration, must prioritize physiotherapy in their health strategies. Establishing micro-level physiotherapy clinics in primary health centres, community hospitals, schools, and workplaces is an urgent necessity. These clinics should not only provide treatment for musculoskeletal and neurological conditions but also run preventive programmes on ergonomics, lifestyle diseases, and fitness. For J&K in particular, where geographic and socio-economic barriers limit access to tertiary care, community-based physiotherapy services would be transformative. They would reduce dependence on overburdened hospitals, ensure treatment in remote areas, and provide employment opportunities for local physiotherapists.
Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: The Missing Link
The inclusion of physiotherapy in public insurance schemes remains grossly inadequate. Most insurance policies don’t include or restrict physiotherapy to a handful of sessions, ignoring the fact that conditions like stroke rehabilitation or Parkinson’s disease require prolonged care. Government programmes such as Ayushman Bharat must urgently expand coverage to include comprehensive physiotherapy packages. Without financial support, patients discontinue therapy, leading to higher long-term costs for families and the healthcare system. Recognizing physiotherapy as an essential, insurable service is not just a welfare measure, it is an economic necessity.
Reducing the Hospital Burden
Physiotherapy’s role extends well beyond recovery; it is a powerful preventive tool. Structured therapy can delay or even eliminate the need for surgeries in orthopaedic conditions. Pulmonary rehabilitation reduces hospital admissions for chronic respiratory diseases. Ergonomic training prevents workplace injuries, while cancer rehabilitation improves mobility and reduces fatigue in survivors. Each of these interventions eases the burden on hospitals, lowers treatment costs, and enhances productivity in society. By mainstreaming physiotherapy into healthcare policies, India can shift from a reactive model of disease management to a proactive model of prevention.
Spreading Awareness and Educating Patients
One of the biggest challenges physiotherapy faces is lack of awareness. Too many patients still rely on painkillers or delay treatment, unaware that timely physiotherapy could prevent long-term disability. Public education campaigns must highlight physiotherapy’s role in conditions as diverse as arthritis, vertigo, migraines, chronic fatigue, and post-operative recovery. Schools, colleges, and workplaces should integrate physiotherapy-led wellness programmes, teaching young people the value of posture correction, exercise, and preventive care. Awareness is the first step toward empowerment, and an informed society will naturally embrace physiotherapy as part of everyday health.
Special Relevance for Jammu and Kashmir
In J&K, physiotherapy can bridge the gap between specialized care and community needs. The government must establish physiotherapy units in every district hospital and extend them to block-level community centres. Mobile physiotherapy teams should be deployed to reach rural and remote areas. This would not only ensure treatment for arthritis, fractures, or neurological conditions but also build trust in the healthcare system. Simultaneously, investing in physiotherapy education and training institutions in the UT would create opportunities for local youth, reducing dependency on outside resources.
Building on National Recognition
The National Council has given the profession a robust framework by standardizing education, introducing competency-based training, and protecting professional titles. But recognition alone is not enough. What is required now is aggressive implementation, through insurance support, micro-level infrastructure, and integration into community health programmes. Physiotherapists are equipped to serve as independent practitioners; what they need is institutional backing to reach every patient in need.
Conclusion: Physiotherapy treatment is a right, not a Luxury
Physiotherapy is not a luxury,it is a right that every citizen must have access to. It prevents disease, restores dignity, and allows individuals to lead independent lives. Yet financial constraints and lack of availability continue to deny millions this essential service. The Government of India and the J&K UT administration must act decisively: establish micro-level clinics, expand insurance coverage, and launch awareness campaigns that place physiotherapy at the centre of community health.
Celebrating World Physiotherapy Day on September 08 should not just be symbolic. It must serve as a reminder that physiotherapy is one of the strongest pillars of modern healthcare. By investing in physiotherapy, India invests in a healthier, more resilient society, one where every individual has the chance to live life to the fullest, free from avoidable pain and disability.
(The author an MPT (Neurology), is former Associate Professor of Physiotherapy and former President of Jammu & Kashmir Physiotherapist Association)
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