What is Physiotherapy?

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Physiotherapy is a health care profession concerned with helping people across the lifespan move and participate in life and in their communities, especially when movement and function are threatened by ageing, sport or work related injury, long periods of inactivity, disability or disease.

Physiotherapists:

• use physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social wellbeing, taking account of variations in health status;
• are involved in health promotion, exercise prescription, injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation in order to maximise potential;
• have an appreciation of psychological, cultural and social factors which influence their clients;
• are science-based, committed to extending, applying, evaluating and reviewing the evidence that underpins and informs its practice and delivery;
• consider exercise of clinical judgement and informed interpretation is at its core; and  
• assess, diagnose and treat people to facilitate as much movement and physical independence as possible so they can resume their normal job or lifestyle, engage in normal physical activities, avoid injuries, maintain a fit, healthy body, and enhance their quality of life.

What do physiotherapists do?

The aim of physiotherapy is to identify and maximise human movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, and treatment and rehabilitation in partnership with their clients. Physiotherapy is certainly far more than fixing musculoskeletal sports injuries although that is perhaps the most common perception of the profession. Physiotherapists are skilled in the assessment and management of a broad range of conditions that affect the musculoskeletal, circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems. The physiotherapy process involves assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, treatment or rehabilitation. Physiotherapists work in many areas including: cardiorespiratory, neurology, orthopaedics, paediatrics, seniors' health, sports, and women's health.

Physiotherapy services are available to the community in a number of settings: ;private practice, sports facilities; hospitals; schools and universities; public health organisations; community centres; aged care facilities and workplaces.

The core skills used by physiotherapists include a wide range of drug-free techniques to relieve pain, restore function and movement, and prevent further problems including, for example:

• Joint mobilisation and manipulation.
• Therapeutic exercise and stretches.
• Movement re-education.
• Electrophysical agents (such as hot packs, ice and ultrasound).
• Soft tissue massage.
• Breathing exercises and techniques to help with management of phlegm or breathlessness.

As a profession, physiotherapists work within a framework of empowering the individual, carer or the community through education and the promotion of self-management of health and wellbeing.

Why is the practice of physiotherapy effective and safe?

All physiotherapy consultations consist of a subjective and an objective analysis, an intervention and a reassessment.  Physiotherapists have the knowledge and skills to implement their treatments in a sound, methodical way based on the client’s presenting condition.  Physiotherapists use critical assessment of the client’s condition using valid and reliable tools, and the integration of scientific evidence.  Physiotherapists have a strong knowledge of pathology, and are able to implement treatments that are safe and unlikely to cause harm.

What qualifications do physiotherapists have?

Physiotherapists are university-educated health practitioners, with entry to the profession being at either a Bachelor or Master degree level. Many physiotherapists undertake further qualifications at the Master level in specialist clinical areas or research higher degrees at a Master or Doctoral level.

How is the public protected?

The Physiotherapists Act is an Act of parliament proclaimed in 2005 for the primary purpose of protecting the public of Western Australia, and falls under the portfolio of the Minister for Health. The Physiotherapists’ Registration Board is a statutory authority responsible for the administration of the Act.

Any physiotherapist intending to practise in Western Australia must hold the necessary qualifications specified under the Physiotherapists Act 2005, and fulfil the requirements stipulated by the Registration Board prior to commencing practice.

The primary functions of the Physiotherapists’ Registration Board are:

• Registration of physiotherapists.
• Investigation of complaints received from members of the public against registered physiotherapists.
• Investigation of complaints received concerning non-registered persons practising physiotherapy.
• Regulation of advertising by physiotherapists, including use of qualifications, titles and practice names.

What happens if I have a complaint about a physiotherapist?

Members of the public are encouraged to notify the Board of any complaints they have regarding the practice of physiotherapy and physiotherapists.

The Act provides the Board with the power to warn, fine, and de-register physiotherapists.

The Board is required to inform the Office of Health Review of any complaints received against registered physiotherapists.

Can anyone practise physiotherapy?

The practice of physiotherapy is restricted. The Board may prosecute members of the public who may be in breach of the provisions of the Act and Regulations.

A number of key sections exist within the Physiotherapists Act 2005 of which all persons, particularly health workers, should be aware:

Section 86 refers to the title physiotherapist and the practice of physiotherapy

Unregistered persons must not:

1. use the title “physiotherapist” or “physical therapist”;
2. advertise, or otherwise hold out or imply, that they are registered or entitled to practise physiotherapy.

Penalty:

1. for a first offence, $2 500; and a daily penalty of $100;
2. for a second or subsequent offence, $5 000; and a daily penalty of $200.

Section 83 refers to who may practise physiotherapy

A person must not practise physiotherapy unless that person is a registered person.

Penalty:

1. In the case of an individual:
   1. For a first offence, $5 000; and a daily penalty of $200
   2. For a second or subsequent offence $10 000 and a daily penalty of $400
2. In any other case:
   1. For a first offence, $10 000; and a daily penalty of $400
   2. For a second or subsequent offence, $20 000; and a daily penalty of $800

Section 84 refers to persons who may be employed or engaged to practise physiotherapy

A person must not employ or engage a person to practise physiotherapy unless the person employed or engaged is a registered person.

Penalty:

1. In the case of an individual -
   1. For a first offence, $5 000; and a daily penalty of $200
   2. For a second or subsequent offence $10 000 and a daily penalty of $400
2. In any other case –
   1. For a first offence, $10 000; and a daily penalty of $400
   2. For a second or subsequent offence, $20 000; and a daily penalty of $800

Section 3 defines physiotherapy

“Physiotherapy” means a method of treatment prescribed by the regulations.

Regulation 3 refers to specific methods of treatment to be used only by physiotherapists

The following methods may only be used by physiotherapists:

1. use of a short wave diathermy machine;
2. use of an ultra violet light machine;
3. use of an infrared ray lamp;
4. use of an ultra sonic machine;
5. use of electrical stimulation by means of an interferential, faradic or galvanic machine;
6. spinal manipulation of the vertebral column;

Section 4(a) refers to exempt persons

The Act does not affect the practice of a person’s profession as:

1. a chiropractor registered under the Chiropractors Act 2005;
2. a dentist registered under the Dental Act 1939;
3. a medical practitioner;
4. an osteopath registered under the Osteopaths Act 2005;
5. a podiatrist registered under the Podiatrists Act 2005.

MASSAGE AND THE PHYSIOTHERAPISTS ACT 2005

Section 4(b) refers to specific massage exemptions

The Act does not affect the practice of a person’s profession applying massage under the following conditions:

1. face massage or scalp massage for cosmetic purposes;
2. massage or heat to a person engaged in playing or training for any game, sport or athletics, or alleviating injuries received by that person in the course of playing or training;
3. any other massage that does not attempt to cure or alleviate an abnormal condition.

How do I get more information?

The information above is intended as a guide only. More information may be gained from the Physiotherapists’ Registration Board’s website at www.prbwa.com.au

The Physiotherapy Act 2005 may be accessed via the Board’s website through “Links”.  Legal advice may also be sought.  

Please direct any enquiries to:

The Registrar
Physiotherapists’ Registration Board of Western Australia,
PO Box 959
South Perth WA 6951

Tel:  (08) 9368 2644
Email: enquiries@prbwa.com.au