Hi
After countless push from Prakash V I am starting my blog today. As this is going to be my first I am going to make it simple and non-controversial as possible.
After countless push from Prakash V I am starting my blog today. As this is going to be my first I am going to make it simple and non-controversial as possible.
I
was having my usual weekly conversation with my friend on –well what else
physiotherapy and overall lack of scientific backing for some of our physiotherapeutic
techniques.
The question in our mind was why we are unable to move on. You learn something in a particular point of time say manual therapy or NDT and when you see the idea is outdated or the treatment is plain useless we still can’t get over it. Even intelligent therapists seem to be stuck in the time warp. I have seen experts in neurology unable to come to terms with moving of science and time. The common example I use to stress this is the prevalence of normalization, thinking purely mechanical and searching for that one treatment which will bring about the magic touch and heal. (Will write about “hands on” some other time.)
The question in our mind was why we are unable to move on. You learn something in a particular point of time say manual therapy or NDT and when you see the idea is outdated or the treatment is plain useless we still can’t get over it. Even intelligent therapists seem to be stuck in the time warp. I have seen experts in neurology unable to come to terms with moving of science and time. The common example I use to stress this is the prevalence of normalization, thinking purely mechanical and searching for that one treatment which will bring about the magic touch and heal. (Will write about “hands on” some other time.)
One
of the theories we came to is “film music theory” of why we wont move on. The
theory is fairly simple in Tamil film industry we have serious film makers who
want to make neo-realism movies, but can’t get out of the idea of not having
music. Even though it not in the “proper” to have songs in neo-realism they can’t
seem to do it because of the 100 years of tradition have making crappy movies
with songs.
Likewise
in this age of evidence informed practice (EIP) we still can’t come out of NDT
if you treat children with cerebral palsy. This is exploited by the companies which sell
these course- and they have “certified tutors”- whatever that means (still can’t
understand to teach some techniques why you need to certified- that to a
treatment which can be taught in 15 minutes). They charge up to 2 lakhs if they come in a plane from North America-
they still teach you the same crap they taught you in your UG- well no one
learns anything in PG.
Why
this fascination with un-scientific courses, is it because we have to have
songs in our movies come what may.
i am not sure 100% at same-time i dont say its obselete...i personally believe the concept of brunnstrom (not a treatment technique or pattern)could be rephrased and used,,may be its basic on reflex theory which was considered as outdated...
ReplyDeleteI agree that there is so much fascination with unscientific courses. Having said that whether as Physiotherapy faculty we have discarded those techniques from the syllabus & curriculum. As Physiotherapist in academic practice, I believe the Physiotherapy faculty have not done much to revamp the curriculum based on which the prospective professionals are trained. It is almost 13 years I have completed my BPT course. The curriculum is the same except for making it to four and half years course (with inclusion of some subject contents, the knowledge & skills which Physiotherapists never uses in the lifetime) the reason most of all to claim parity with MBBS course. The onus of professionals showing affinity for such unscientific courses almost entirely lies with the trends of academic practice. The Physiotherapy academia has failed to sow the right aptitude for clinical and research practice. Rather than blaming the product, we should reflect on the input and process of such produce.
ReplyDeleteI cant understand first comment- so i dont know what to say.
ReplyDeleteSelvam - i have been in this for 18 years and not seen anything change. Some of the techniques which was in the way of going away just keeps coming back- example Brunstrom, roods etc. However, I complete agree it is my, our responsibility to over through these nonsense.
Welcome And Congrats sir...!!
ReplyDelete