Physiotherapy in Nepal aims to provide comprehensive physio rehabilitation services to individuals with physical disabilities or injuries. Learn more about the inspiring benefits and availability of physiotherapy services in Nepal.
Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy is a branch of medical science that deals with the treatment of physical disabilities, injuries, and disorders through physical methods such as exercise, massage, and heat treatment. In Nepal, physiotherapy is a growing field that has gained significant importance in recent years.
What is NEPTA?
The Nepal Physiotherapy Association (NEPTA) is the official organization that represents more than 3000 physiotherapists in Nepal and abroad . NEPTA is continiously working with governments and educational bodies of nepal to ensure that quality physiotherapy services are all over the countery
The vision of NEPTA is to move physiotherapy forward as a profession so that it is recognized by various sectors including the ministry of health, government as well as various non-governmental organizations for its significant role in improving health and wellbeing
The misson statemof of NEPTA’s includes uniting the physiotherapy profession within the country, representing physiotherapy in Nepal internationally, promoting high standards of physiotherapy practice, education and research, facilitating communication and information exchange among branches (subgroups) of NEPTA and their members, collaborating with national and international organizations, and contributing to the improvement of overall health.Â
Physiotherapy Programs in Nepal
Nepal has two physiotherapy programs offered through Kathmandu University and Pokhara University as a bachelor’s degree . The program is equivalent to four-and-a-half years of full-time study, and the minimum level of education required to start this program is upper secondary .
Colleges providing the BPT( Bachelor of Physiotherapy) in Nepal
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy Colleges                      Â
- Birat Medical College                  Â
- Nobel Medical College   Biratnagar         Â
- Kathmandu Medical College Pvt. Ltd      Â
- KU School of Medical Sciences(KUSOM)Â Â
- School of Health and Allied Science
Physiotherapy Services in Nepal
Physiotherapy services are available in government-run hospitals and private hspitals as well as clinics in Nepal . Government-run hospitals offer a wide range of physiotherapy services . Most of them include treatment for
- Sports injuries physio
- chronic pain surgery
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- Post orthopedic Surgeries physiotherapy
- Post neursurgery Surgeries physiotherapy
- Manual Therapies
- chiropractic therapy
Beside these prepregnacy and post pregnancy physiotherapy is emerging in some places but yet not popular yet.
Type of Physiotherapy in Nepal
There are several types of physiotherapy that are used to treat different conditions . These are some of the most common types of physiotherapy:
Orthopedic physiotherapy
Orthopedic physiotherapy is especially used to treat musculoskeletal injuries and disorders like fractures, sprains, and arthritis. Orthopedic physical therapists are those physotherapist wh0 are especially trained in the treatment of post-operative joints, sports injuries, arthritis, post sprain and strain and amputations, among other injuries and conditions
Geriatric physiotherapy
This type of physiotherapy is focused on treating elderly patients . Geriatic people have age-related conditions such as arthritis,hip and joint replacement osteoporosis of bone, muscle atrophy and dysfunction, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, , balance disorders, and incontinence. These physio is included with rehabilitation programs as well.Â
Neurological physiotherapy
This type of physiotherapy is used to treat patients with neurological disorders or diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, and stroke
Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation
This type of physiotherapy is used to treat people with cardiopulmonary disorders as well as those who have had heard and lungs surgery. The main goals of this type of physiotherapy include increasing patient endurance and functional independence to make their life easy and smooth.
Pediatric physiotherapy
This type of physiotherapy is focused on treating infants, children, and adolescents with a variety of injuries, disorders, and diseases that affect the muscles, bones, and joints. They are espeically focus with the congenital dieases like autism, cerebral palsy, downs syndrome and so on
Manual therapy
This physiotherapy employs manual manipulation and mobilization of joints and soft tissues to relieve pain and increase range of motion. Additionally, it may incorporate massage, joint mobilization, stretching, and other therapeutic activities ².
Sports physiotherapy
This type of physiotherapy is focused on treating sports-related injuries such as sprains and strains due to agrasive sports . This phyiso include rehabilitation as well.Â
History of physiotherapy in Nepal
The history of physiotherapy in Nepal dates back to the 1970s when the first physiotherapy program was introduced at the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University . The program was initially designed to train health assistants to work in rural areas, but it later evolved into a full-fledged physiotherapy program .
In 1994, the Nepal Physiotherapy Association (NEPTA) was established to promote the development of physiotherapy in Nepal . Since then, NEPTA has been working to improve the quality of physiotherapy services in Nepal by providing training and education to physiotherapists, advocating for the rights of physiotherapists, and promoting research in the field of physiotherapy .
Physiotherapy Problems in Nepal
Physiotherapy in nepal is a growing field despite it still faces some challenges. According to a study conducted among 164 physiotherapists working in different clinics and physiotherapy centers of selected districts of Nepal, the major barriers to problems on evidence-based practice in physiotherapy include lack of knowledge, lack of time, lack of resources, and lack of access to research articles
In addition, there is a shortage or lack of qualified physiotherapists in Nepal. Although there are two physiotherapy programs offered through Kathmandu University and Pokhara University as a bachelor’s degree, the number of graduates is not sufficient to meet the demand for physiotherapy services
Another challenge is the limited availability of physiotherapy services in rural areas. Most of the physiotherapy services are concentrated in urban areas, making it difficult for people living in rural areas to access these services
Conclusion
Physiotherapy in Nepal has emerged as a vital healthcare service that focuses on restoring and improving physical function and mobility.Yet there has to be more improvised for better health of wellbeing.
