World Physical Therapy Day: The Art of Physical Therapy

World Physical Therapy Day or World PT Day is celebrated on the 8th of September every year. World PT Day offers an opportunity for physiotherapists across the world to spread the word about the importance of physical health and its role in day-to-day life. The day was an initiative of the World Confederation of Physical Therapy in 1996, which was later changed to World Physiotherapy. 

For the year 2023, World Physiotherapy is focusing on arthritis, and its causes of inflammation, such as axial spondyloarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. 8th September also marks the opportunity to give recognition and appreciation to the physical therapists in healthcare and rehabilitation. Read more to know about World Physical Therapy Day in detail. 

Also Read – Physiotherapy Courses: Fees, Top Universities & Career

History of World Physical Therapy Day

World Physical Therapy Day is an initiative of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, which is a global body representing professionals in the field of physical therapy. The World Confederation of Physical Therapy was established in 1951 as an organisation to give recognition to physical therapists and physical therapy knowledge to people around the world.

It was in 1996 when this day was started by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy. This initiative has been highly successful as serious developments in the field of physical health and activities have taken place and more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of their physical well-being.

Professionals working in the field of physical therapy and healthcare sectors promote their work and highlight the positive impacts of physical therapy on people’s illnesses and chronic conditions. 

Also Read – Bachelor of Physiotherapy

What is the Importance of World Physical Therapy Day?

World Physical Therapy Day is annually promoted by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT). WPTD chooses the themes for World PT Day to target specific aspects of physical therapy and its worldwide impact on people’s health.

• Various physical therapy organisations, institutions and practitioners across the world organise events and activities to educate people about the benefits of physical therapy.
• These intellectuals showcase the art of physical therapy and promote access to physical therapy services.
• In the post-covid world, people have become more and more health conscious, where they are not ready to compromise with their physical and mental health.
• In this aspect, the importance of this day is enhanced as people are volunteering for activities and events organised on this day.

Theme 2023

The theme 2023 for this day is ‘arthritis’. With this theme, physiotherapists across the world will make people aware of arthritis, which is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. The most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid and osteoarthritis arthritis. Its symptoms are joint pain and stiffness, which gets worse with age. 

World PT Day themes vary every year but mostly revolve around the promotion and advocation of the role of physical therapists in healthcare and raising awareness of physical therapy to enhance the overall well-being, recovery from injuries and management of chronic and troublesome illness. 

The World PT Day theme for 2022 was ‘osteoarthritis and the role played by physiotherapists in its prevention and management of those affected by it. Osteoarthritis, abbreviated as OA is a common joint condition or illness, According to 2022 health data by WHO, more than 520 million people across the world suffer from Osteoarthitis, out of which 60% of cases of Osteoarthitis are for knee Osteoarthitis.

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