European University of Lefke (EUL) Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Faculty Member Asst. Prof. Dr. Nazemin Gilanlıoğulları made statements on the occasion of World Physiotherapy Day. Gilanlıoğulları stated that “Physiotherapists, who are part of a multidisciplinary team, aim to enable individuals to perform their daily life activities independently by using evidence-based treatment methods,” and continued her statements as follows: ‘World Physiotherapy Day’ is celebrated on 8 September every year since the first meeting of the World Confederation of Physiotherapy (WCPT) in 1996. The aim of this day is to symbolise the unity and solidarity of the global physiotherapy community. World Physiotherapy Day is an opportunity to show the world the touch physiotherapists have on human lives.

Gilanlıoğulları who stated that the World Confederation of Physiotherapy, which uses this important day as a focal point, aims to support the efforts of physiotherapists to promote their profession and develop their expertise, expressed that “Reports from around the world have shown that the activities held on World Physiotherapy Day have a positive impact on the profile of the profession”.

Gilanlıoğulları stated that physiotherapy and rehabilitation methods are used in the treatment of many diseases and that the methods used vary according to the needs of the patient, “The main objectives of physiotherapists are to increase independence in daily life activities and to improve the quality of life. In order to do this, evidence-based treatment methods are used.”

Gilanlıoğulları; World Physiotherapy Day is an opportunity for physiotherapists to announce the importance of their profession to the World

Gilanlıoğulları continued her explanations as follows; WCPT chooses a focal point every year and aims to raise awareness according to the chosen theme. This year, the focus of World Physiotherapy Day on 8 September is arthritis (inflammation of the joints) and an in-depth look at some types of inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis (rheumatic disease involving the spine). The main aim of this theme is to emphasise to people that arthritis is an acute and chronic inflammation of the joints that affects all age groups, that its symptoms affect activities of daily living, but that activity and exercise are important in controlling these symptoms. Arthritis findings may vary and physiotherapy and rehabilitation is an important part of the overall treatment. Physiotherapists provide guidance to individuals with arthritis on how to stay active and manage their symptoms.

“The goal of the physiotherapist in treatment is to bring a person back to the point where they can perform normal, daily activities without difficulty,” said Gilanlıoğulları, “Maintaining good range of motion is key to maintaining the ability to perform daily activities. Therefore, increasing the range of motion of a joint is the primary focus of physical therapy. It is also extremely important to increase the strength of the related muscles surrounding the joint, as stronger muscles can better stabilise a weakened joint.”

Gilanlıoğulları concluded by saying “World Physiotherapy Day is an opportunity for physiotherapists to announce the importance of their profession to the world” and sincerely congratulated all physiotherapists on 8 September World Physiotherapy Day.