According to CSP curriculum framework (January 2002) Physiotherapy is a health care profession concerned with human function and movement and maximizing potential. It uses physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being, taking account of variations in health status. It is science-based, committed to extending, applying, evaluating and reviewing the evidence that underpins and informs its practice and delivery. The exercise of clinical judgment and informed interpretation is at its core. Physiotherapists work in a wide variety of health settings such as intensive care, mental illness, stroke recovery, occupational health, and care of the elderly. Chartered physiotherapists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, health centers, GP practices, schools, work places, private clinics and also by visiting people at home.

Physiotherapy can improve the daily lives of patients who have had knee replacement surgery due to osteoarthritis in the short term. Most famous example i remember is the knee treatment of former Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Homeopathy is a curative sciences that is based on three principles namely, Like Cures Like,Administration of Minimal Dosage, Only Implementation of a Single Remedy. It is on the basis of these principles that homoeopathy is more or less a preferred form of medicine. It is in fact stated to be the second most used system of medicine in the world after allopathic. A homeopathic practitioner when diagnosing an ailment does not only look at the externals of the patient. It is not just about the aches or pains as experienced, but also the mental and emotional state of the patient. In Homeopathy, practitioners often follow detailed and preset procedures when treating patients. Homeopaths generally begin with comprehensive examinations of patients histories, body types, as well as physical and emotional illnesses.

Homeopathy has been unsupported by scientific research since its inception.The extremely high dilutions in homeopathy have been a main point of criticism. Homeopaths believe that the methodical dilution of a substance, beginning with a 10% or lower solution and working downwards, with shaking after each dilution, produces a therapeutically active “remedy”, in contrast to therapeutically inert water. However, homeopathy often dilutes remedies to the point where there are no molecules from the original substance left in the final remedy, leaving the remedy chemically identical to water. This has led many critics to conclude that any effect that might have been present from the original substance can no longer exist.

Naturopathy provides holistic, or whole body, health care by taking advantage of resources drawn from numerous traditional healing systems. Dating back to the early part of the 20th century, naturopathy is organized around three fundamental principles: the physician should strive to aid the body’s natural healing abilities; the root cause of an illness should be addressed rather than its symptoms; and above all, only therapies that cause no harm should be used (which means that toxic drugs and surgery are avoided whenever possible).

A naturopathy doctor, or N.D., may pay considerable attention to a patient’s lifestyle, since naturopathy theory holds that physical, psychological and even spiritual elements can all contribute to disease. In treating patients, the naturopathic practitioner may use a number of alternative therapies, including homeopathy, herbal remedies, traditional Chinese medicine, spinal manipulation, nutrition, hydrotherapy, massage and exercise.

Doctors of naturopathy train at accredited four-year naturopathy medical schools. The first two years include many of the same core science classes as regular medical schools, while the final two years focus on training in natural healing techniques.

Ayurveda, a traditional holistic health care system, older than any other system of medicine, has been practiced in India for more than 5000 years. Ayurveda, recognized as alternative medicine now, represents the science of life and longevity originating in the Vedic traditions of India. Based on the principle of eternal life, this holistic health care system has a vast body of knowledge covering eight branches. Its major premise involves the symbiosis of mind, body and spirit. Any imbalance in this synthesis results in physical ailments. This ancient Indian medicine seeks to reestablish the harmony between the body and its habitat by creating the optimum health environment.

The entire science of ayurveda is based on the ‘Five Great Elements’ (Panchmahabhuta) theory. These five elements are earth (prithvi), water (jal), fire (agni or tej), air (vayu) and ether or space (akash). In popular tradition, the universe is understood to be made up of these elements. Ayurveda comprehends body, mind and spirit likewise and has specific methods for working on each.Living according to the principles of Ayurveda promotes that health which leads to the four goals of life, which includes moksha, Enlightenment! Living non-Ayurvedically is called Prajna Paradha, literally meaning “crimes against wisdom,” which is the cause of so much individual, familial, social and planetary suffering. Ayurveda is like Physics or Math in that it belongs to everybody. Though Ayurveda was originally ’seen’ by the sages of India, it is common to all, it is perennial wisdom, and so Ayurveda belongs to every creature in the universe.

All healing modalities have their time, place, and purpose in the present day. Ayurveda encompasses all of them and uses their techniques in proper harmony in order to balance the various facets of the Life Force. In this balance one’s being is inclined to be free from all distractions so Self can focus on That blissful Self, so that everybody can attain their innate full potential.

Yoga is a way of life, a conscious act, not a set or series of learning principles. The dexterity, grace, and poise you cultivate, as a matter of course, is the natural outcome of regular practice. You require no major effort. In fact trying hard will turn your practices into a humdrum, painful, even injurious routine and will eventually slow down your progress. Subsequently, and interestingly, the therapeutic effect of Yoga is the direct result of involving the mind totally in inspiring (breathing) the body to awaken. Contrary to popular – or unpopular – perception, Yoga positions are not about how far you can reach to touch your toes or how many repetitions you can perform. It is all about paying attention to how your body feels; how it moves without that excruciating pain or agony! Yoga is all about breathing correctly about integrating that breath into your being. Conscious Yoga doesn’t call for you to force or strain your never or sinew. Meaning to say, right Yoga is learning how to do things right, do less that gets you more!

Ironically, by doing less – correctly – Yoga enhances your strength, energy, vitality, flexibility and levels of endurance. Accordingly, your body and mind start to become more balanced until, eventually, you find it takes so much less energy to move through the day. Yes, any and everyone can do less…and get a lot, lot more!

Osteoporosis means thinning of the bones makes them fragile and brittle, so that they can fracture easily. It is common among women. Calcium is removed from bone storehouse but not replaced.
The most common symptoms of Osteoporosis are pain in the lower back, gradual loss of height leading to a stooped posture, sometimes no obvious symptoms till bone breaks.
Causes of Osteoporosis

1. Around age of 50, woman’s supply of estrogen hormone decreases and bone loss becomes rapid.
2. Nutritional factors like insufficient intake of calcium and Vitamin D.
3. Lack of physical activity and genetics are factors that hasten onset of osteoporosis.
Curing Osteoporosis:
1. Include walking, running, weight lifting, cycling and dancing exercise in your daily life.
2. Quit smoking.
3. Calcium intake should be proper as they build strong bones, maintain bone density and strength. Green leafy vegetables and low fat dairy products are the best source.
4. You can have a maximum of 2 drinks per day.
5. Consider Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT), if you are menopausal. It consists of a low-dose estrogen and progesterone treatment, which slows bone loss and prevents fractures and reduces hot flashes.