Evidence for the efficacy of physical therapy interventions are detailed and include eccentric loading, laser therapy, iontophoresis, stretching, foot orthoses, manual therapy, taping, heel lifts, and night splints. All 135 cited references are listed at the end of the document. “
“Jonathon Kruger’s
recent Editorial (Kruger 2010) is timely this website in reminding Australian physiotherapists of the major change in their status that occurred in 1976, 35 years ago. This issue, raised by the Australian delegates Pat Cosh, Rodney Farr, and Doreen Moore, was scheduled for discussion at the World confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT), Tel Aviv, 1978. It should be noted that there was considerable resistance within the world physiotherapy community and Australia was the first country to enact this change learn more in status. I am responding to the Editorial in order to acknowledge the significant contribution made by Doreen Moore, President of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy 1970–74, APA President 1977–79, who spoke to and defended Australia’s position at the Congress. She argued that Australia had already taken this step by repealing
the first ethical principle of the Australian Physiotherapy Association, and that we were determined to continue as first contact practitioners and were prepared to be expelled from WCPT if the motion failed. The eventual outcome of the meeting in Tel Aviv was the consensus statement referred to in the Editorial (Kruger 2101). This was an exciting
and challenging time for those of us working in physiotherapy education. Advances in technology, the explosion in scientific knowledge relevant to physiotherapy, together with increasing responsibilities in the below clinic and the greater sophistication of health care delivery, were demanding changes in clinical practice. The academic process in physiotherapy was changing from diploma to degree status. Master and doctoral programs were being developed. As Head of the School of Physiotherapy in Sydney, Doreen Moore provided leadership in this process. “
“With increasing recognition and diagnosis of type II diabetes in Australia, this is clearly an important topic. This online course was developed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association in conjunction with Diabetes Victoria and funded by the Australian Better Health Initiative. The aims are to: build basic knowledge about how to advise people with type II diabetes about exercise, and enable patient self management. The course is divided into 4 modules. Module 1 covers an introduction to diabetes. This includes an excellent section on pathophysiology, definitions, clear explanations of the factors causing type II diabetes, and a section on diagnosis. Module 2 outlines the management of type II diabetes including blood glucose level monitoring, treatment targets, basic nutritional information, and an explanation of the medications used to treat diabetes.