World Physical Therapy Day (8th Sep): Health Insurance Plans That Cover Physical Therapy

Significance of Physical Therapy

Physiotherapy or physical therapy is a significant treatment option to cure many diseases. These therapies help people get over their setbacks in terms of bodily movements to make life normal. Physical therapy helps elderly people relieve pain caused by age-related diseases like arthritis or osteoporosis, which otherwise require surgery.

Below are some ways in which physiotherapy assists in improving movement and body functions:

Physiotherapy helps in improving balance

• It helps in developing the coordination of the body
• It allows progressive flexibility
• It improves and enhances mobility
• It boosts muscular performance
• Physiotherapy also aids in neuromuscular control
• It aids in postural stability and control

History of World Physiotherapy Day

In 1996, the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) established 8th September as the day to observe World Physiotherapy Day. On this day, we celebrate the togetherness and solidarity of the global community of physical therapists. It is a day to recognize their contribution towards the community as a whole and particularly to their patients.

The earliest documents of physical therapy go back to 460 B.C. in the time of Hippocrates, who was known to be the old master of medicine. He started the concept of manual manipulation for pain treatment. Over the years physiotherapy saw a huge transformation from simple messages to a wide range of therapies including complex therapies.

Till World War II, physical therapy was mainly performed in hospitals on patients who had gone through surgeries and other injuries. However, during the time of WWII, many specialty physical therapy clinics were established to help injured shoulders relieve pain and rehabilitate them after surgeries and hospital treatments. This enhanced the popularity of physical therapy for outpatient care.

At present, physiotherapy is used to cure many diseases such as osteoarthritis, back pain, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer’s, muscular strains, and many other conditions. The use of physiotherapy may vary depending on the specific needs of patients. However, the primary goal of the treatment is to relieve the pain of patients and to increase their range of motion.

Things to do to Observe World Physical Therapy Day

To observe World Physical Therapy Day, you can join any event taking place closer to you. Many countries host several events to observe this day that you can be a part of. Moreover, you can use this day to thank your physiotherapist who might have assisted you in recovering from your pain. You can also study more about this field and broaden your knowledge on this day. You can encourage people to explore more about how physiotherapy can heal different conditions of the body.

Some Amazing Facts About Physical Therapy

• Do you know that thousands of soldiers were treated after World War I using physiotherapy in Canada
• Regular use of physiotherapy may cure certain conditions without the need for surgery
• Physiotherapy and physical therapy are the same thing
• The origin of physical therapy goes back thousands of years to the time of Hippocrates
• Physiotherapists can cure some diseases without the use of medicines and using only exercise-based therapies.
• However, a patient can still avail of physiotherapy treatment while taking medicines

How is Health Insurance an Effective Guard to Recover Faster Against Physical Illness?

Physiotherapies are covered under many popular health insurance policies in India. As discussed, physiotherapy is a medical treatment that addresses and improves the discomfort in your body which disturbs the normal range of motion of your body. Physiotherapies are of different types such as neurological physiotherapy, orthopedic physiotherapy, pediatric physiotherapy, and geriatric physiotherapy.

In India, health insurance for physiotherapy is required mainly in two situations. It may be either after hospitalization or without hospitalization. Physiotherapy without hospitalization may or may not be covered by health insurance companies. However, physiotherapy after hospitalization is covered under most health insurance policies as post-hospitalization cover. Thus, policies covering post-hospitalization treatments will cover physiotherapy for the specified number of days as mentioned in the policy document which might range from 60 - 180 days. This coverage is covered by health insurers as cashless or reimbursement claims. However, the physiotherapy should be prescribed by your doctor as a post-hospitalization therapy.

This feature of health insurance policies assists patients who are recommended 2-3 months of physiotherapy continuously after a surgery, treatment, or an accident. Hence, you can reduce this expense with the help of a comprehensive health insurance policy.