Date:31/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/31/stories/2006103102480200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

When to see your physiotherapist

R. Sujatha

Problems are more common than is believed

FOR A HEALTHY LIFE: Fitness not only means staying in shape, but also maintaining healthy bones and ligaments. - File photo: R. Shivaji Rao

CHENNAI: Sedentary lifestyle, no exercise and unhealthy food habits may send you to a physiotherapist. Orthopaedic problems are more common than is given to believe.

More corporate employees in the 25-35 age group now suffer from slip discs, neck and shoulder pain and sometimes pain in the ankle, base of the heel and shin muscles.

Most of these problems need minor therapy but poor awareness could complicate them. According to physiotherapists, 70 per cent of those who come to an orthopaedist suffer from musculo-skeletal problems.

"In Tamil Nadu, 42 colleges offer courses in physiotherapy. Only 17,000 physiotherapists across India have registered with the Indian Association of Physiotherapists. At least 10,000 more would not have registered," says C. Suresh Kumar, a consultant at the Vijaya Institute of Trauma and Orthopaedics. The first international conference on orthopaedics and sports physiotherapy to be held in Dehradun in December will address the issue," he says.

The Dolphin Institute of Biomedical and Natural Sciences in Dehradun will host a six-day conference with a special emphasis on taping techniques, commonly used by Australian physiotherapists on sportspersons.

The programme will include lectures by eminent faculty from Australia and India. "Often injuries are minor and orthopaedists can only prescribe medicines. You are not sure that the condition will not recur. A physiotherapist can prescribe treatment that will heal the injury and prevent further damage," says T.R. Nanda Kumar, head, Department of Physiotherapy at the Dolphin Institute. People who suffer from arthritic joints can also be helped, he says.

Taping technique, a simple method where the injured portion is taped to prevent further injury, will be taught to participants. The technique is commonly used abroad but is not prevalent in India, specialists say. Some preventive measures include warming up before exercise for sportspersons and regular exercise for others. This will help to tone and prevent damage to soft tissues.

For further details visit the conference website www.dolphininstitute.info.