World Physiotherapy Day is held each year on 8 September to recognise the work that physiotherapists do for their patients and communities.

The day was founded in 1996 by the international World Physiotherapy organisation, with the aim of fostering unity and solidarity among practitioners globally.

The focus for this year’s World Physiotherapy Day is osteoarthritis (OA) and the role of physiotherapists in its prevention and in the management of people affected by OA.

The Physiotherapy Board of Australia regulates Australia’s growing workforce of more than 39,600 registered physiotherapists.

The Board is responsible for setting accreditation and practising standards for the profession and its primary role is to protect the public by ensuring that physiotherapists are suitably trained and qualified and are practising in a safe and ethical manner.

Physiotherapy Board Chair Kim Gibson says World Physiotherapy Day is a great opportunity to acknowledge and recognise the amazing work that physiotherapists do across the globe.

‘This year’s theme recognises the contribution that physiotherapists make to the lives of people who are living with osteoarthritis,’ says Kim.

Physiotherapists and the treatment of osteoarthritis

According to Arthritis Australia, OA is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 1.8 million Australians.

While mostly associated with older people, OA can affect people of any age, including children.

It affects the whole joint, including bone, cartilage, ligaments and muscles.

OA tends to develop slowly and symptoms may include pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints, along with clicking noises, grating sensations or a loss of flexibility in a joint.

Arthritis Australia recommends a team healthcare approach to manage OA, with physiotherapists and other allied health practitioners working in conjunction with a patient’s GP and specialists as required.

Jonathan Smithers, chief executive officer of Arthritis Australia, says that physiotherapists are vital to helping people with OA maintain function, strength and mobility and manage their pain.

‘We know how important it is for people with OA to keep moving, both to manage their condition and to support their overall health.

'Physiotherapists play an important role in maintaining people’s quality of life and in delivering multidisciplinary models of care,’ Jonathan says.

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Click here for more information on diagnosing and managing osteoarthritis.