0617 Rehabilitation Therapies

Rehabilitation Therapies is the study of the practices and principles that restore a person to an optimal quality of life. It includes treating individuals so that they can return to normal duties after being affected by accident or disease.

The main purpose of this narrow field of education is to develop an understanding of normal and abnormal movement and mobility, and the musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiopulmonary systems. It also involves developing an understanding of the principles and practice of rehabilitation using a variety of activities, and the development of speech and its interrelationship with language and personality development.

Courses in Narrow Field 0617 Rehabilitation Therapies develop skills in:

• evaluating and interpreting a patient’s emotional, psychological, developmental and physical capabilities
• monitoring and recording patients’ activities, responses and progress
• planning and administering treatment programmes on individual and group bases
• selecting appropriate forms of therapy, and advising and instructing on the use of aids
• teaching, assisting and monitoring a patient’s progress in learning or relearning the skills of normal function

This narrow field comprises the following detailed fields:

061701  Physiotherapy
061703  Occupational Therapy
061705  Chiropractic and Osteopathy
061707  Speech Pathology
061709  Audiology
061711  Massage Therapy
061713  Podiatry
061799  Rehabilitation Therapies, n.e.c.

Physiotherapy is the study of assessing people with temporary and longer term physical injuries and movement disorders, and restoring maximum movement and functional ability.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• electrotherapy and electrophysical agents
• movement training and rehabilitation
• normal and abnormal musculoskeletal function

Occupational Therapy is the study of treating physical, cognitive and psychiatric conditions through activities in order to optimise functioning and independence in daily life.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• patient’s independence level assessment
• tailoring treatment programmes
• occupational rehabilitation
• occupational role development

Chiropractic and Osteopathy is the study of assessing and relieving disorders of the body through manipulating and treating the musculoskeletal system.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• posture, and preventative and corrective exercises
• manipulation and adjustment

Speech Pathology is the study of assessing and treating speech and language disorders.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• communicative functioning assessment and evaluation
• stuttering, abnormal articulation and other verbal disorders remedial exercise programmes
• language and voice disorders

Audiology is the study of assessing and treating hearing disorders.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• audiometry
• fitting hearing aids
• testing for hearing loss

Massage Therapy is the study of treating disorders through massage of the soft tissue.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• reflexology
• postural massage techniques
• deep tissue techniques

Podiatry is the study of assessing and treating physical ailments of the human foot and lower limb.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• foot and lower limb abnormalities
• podiatric appliances
• foot and gait disorders

This detailed field includes all Rehabilitation Therapies not elsewhere classified.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• diversional therapy
• orthoptics
• exercise rehabilitation
• orthotics and prosthetics