Abstract

Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in disease prevention and health promotion. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and physiotherapy interventions can help prevent and manage conditions such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis, obesity, incontinence, falls and injuries, orthopedic conditions, and sports injuries. Physiotherapists design exercise programs, provide education and promote lifestyle modifications to enhance joint functionality, reduce pain, and prevent complications. They also contribute to the prevention of chronic musculoskeletal disorders and promote overall health and well-being. Additionally, physiotherapy is involved in health promotion by empowering individuals to improve their health and increase control over it. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, physiotherapists continue to advocate for physical activity and provide services to clients, patients, and the community. It is crucial to prioritize and allocate resources to physiotherapy within primary healthcare, recognizing its significant role in secondary and tertiary care settings. Physiotherapy not only improves individuals' health but also enhances productivity and contributes positively to the economy. This article highlights the importance of physiotherapy in disease prevention, health promotion, and the overall wellbeing of individuals across their lifespan.

• 1.   PS-2019-Description-of-physical-therapy. pdf [Internet]. [cited 2023 Feb 1]. Available from: https://world.physio/sites/default/files/2020-07/PS-2019-Description-of-physical-therapy.pdf.
• 2.   Indicator Metadata Registry Details [Internet]. [cited 2023 Feb 19]. Available from: https://www.who.int/data/gho/indicator-metadataregistry/imr-details/3416.
• 3.   Non-Communicable Diseases [Internet]. Physiopedia. [cited 2023 Feb 19]. Available from: https://www.physio-pedia.com/NonCommunicable_Diseases.
• 4.   Myers J, Kokkinos P, Nyelin E. Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and the metabolic syndrome. Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1652.
• 5.   Senthelal S, Li J, Ardeshirzadeh S, Thomas MA. Arthritis. In: Stat Pearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): Stat Pearls Publishing; 2022 [cited 2023 Feb 19]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518992/.
• 6.   Çakmur H. Obesity as a Growing Public Health Problem. In: Gordeladze JO, editor. Adiposity [Internet]. Rijeka: Intech Open; 2017. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5772/65718.
• 7.   Physical Activity for a Healthy Weight | Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity | CDC [Internet]. [cited 2023 Feb 19]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/physical_activity/index.html.
• 8.   Tran LN, Puckett Y. Urinary Incontinence. In: Stat Pearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): Stat Pearls Publishing; 2022 [cited 2023 Feb 19]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559095/.
• 9.   Woodley SJ, Lawrenson P, Boyle R, Cody JD, Mørkved S, Kernohan A, et al. Pelvic floor muscle training for preventing and treating urinary and faecal incontinence in antenatal and postnatal women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;(5).
• 10.   Ye P, Er Y, Wang H, Fang L, Li B, Ivers R, et al. Burden of falls among people aged 60 years and older in mainland China, 1990–2019: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet Public Health. 2021;6(12):e907–18.
• 11.   Sports Injury Prevention | Sports Physiotherapist [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2023 Feb 19]. Available from: https://australiansportsphysio.com/physio-sportsinjury-prevention.
• 12.   Protective Sports Equipments [Internet]. Physiopedia. [cited 2023 Feb 19]. Available from: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Protective_Sports_Equipments.
• 13.   First International Conference on Health Promotion, Ottawa, 21 November 1986 [Internet]. [cited 2023 Feb 19]. Available from: https://www.who.int/teams/healthpromotion/enhanced-wellbeing/first-globalconference.
• 14.   Alodaibi FA, Alotaibi MA, Almohiza MA, Alhowimel AS. Physical therapists’ role in health and wellness promotion for people with musculoskeletal disorders: a cross-sectional description study conducted in Saudi Arabia. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2022;567–76.

Data Sharing Statement

Funding