physiotherapy practice skills

Definition: 

black & white image of hands touching a clientThese are the practical (psycho-motor) skills used by the physiotherapy workforce that relate to physiotherapy’s scope of practice and primary aim of maximising individuals’ movement potential.

This element is a single domain.

Description: 

In order to apply physiotherapy-specific practice skills, physiotherapy values and knowledge are required. Without physiotherapy values and knowledge, the application of physiotherapy-specific practice skills become nothing more than a physical technique. The approaches that fall within the scope of physiotherapy practice include:

  • manual therapy (e.g. manipulation, massage, mobilisation techniques);
  • exercise and movement (e.g. resisted exercise, functional activity, ACBT, hydrotherapy)
  • electrotherapeutic modalities
  • kindred approaches (e.g. acupuncture, injection therapy)

Although an individual’s skill-base will evolve according to their experiences and context of practice, physiotherapists must demonstrate how these skills relate to physiotherapy and their personal scope of practice.

This domain also includes practical skills/techniques that are not unique to physiotherapy practice such as First Aid or Manual Handling.