No council to check quack physiotherapists

With no council to regulate physiotherapists, blatant violations in terms of wrongful practice, partially qualified practitioners treating patients and students who have not completed their studies opting directly for practice, have come to the fore.

Wrong exercises are not only harming the patients but are also demeaning the reputation of genuine physiotherapists, complain senior practitioners. Physiotherapy is very important after surgery as it allows for proper muscle and bone movement and the extent of pressure that is to be applied depends on the skill and understanding of the therapist.

Physiotherapist Dr Syed Imam Showakth Ali explained, “The problem is that there is no regulation. While Delhi, Maharashtra and Rajasthan have their own state councils to register and also to monitor the activities of physiotherapists, there is nothing over here.”

Dr P. Harish Kumar, principal of KIMS College of Physiotherapy, said, “The vocational and diploma holders have to work under the supervision of those who have completed the degree course. Instead of that they are exploiting the market by charging too low and patients are opting for them only.”

A senior physiotherapist said, “The course is not only about active and passive movements. It requires understanding of the injury, trauma and the subsequent treatment. If the course is done via correspondence or with only one lecture in the college, how are the therapists going to understand minute details? At the end of the day, we are playing with the lives of the patients.”

There are 40 colleges in the state with high enrollment of students.