AGARTALA, November 24 (TIWN): Physiotherapists play an important role in analysing walking patterns in people with movement disorders and undertake specialist training to analyse gait problems at all levels of disability, said Dr. Chitranjan Misra, Associate Professor, SVI NIRTAR, Govt. of India in the inaugural ceremony of the two day long National Level Workshop on Physiotherapy Management (NLWPM) organized by Composite Rehabilitation Center ( CRC), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India in collaboration with Tripura Institute of Paramedical Sciences (TIPS) joint venture with govt. of Tripura at TIPS assembly hall here today.

Gait analysis by a physiotherapist assists in identifying the underlying cause of the disorder and provides measures of the severity of the condition that can be used to chart the effectiveness of treatment. From the analysis, physiotherapists can advise patients on the appropriate course of treatment. Physiotherapists can analyse gait either in a research laboratory or in a clinic. Although there are only a small number of gait laboratories, patients can have a full assessment using computerised motion analysis and  footswitch devices, force platforms, electromyography and accelerometry and energy consumption, he added.

When treated with physiotherapy, people with gait disorders can experience improved mobility and independence and reach their maximum performance levels  whether it be in everyday tasks or high level sporting pursuits, he mentioned.

Mr. Lanu W. Aimol, Officer in charge, CRC and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India said that the aim of this course is to equip Physiotherapy students and Physiotherapists with sufficient knowledge to manage a person with spinal cord injury also to aware the people about the difference important aspects of spinal cord injury. Pain is a serious problem for many people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Pain after SCI can occur in parts of the body where there is normal sensation (feeling) as well as areas that have little or no feeling. The pain is very real and can have a negative impact on quality of life. A person in severe pain may have difficulty carrying out daily activities or participating in enjoyable pastimes, he mentioned.

Around 100 participants from all over India participated in the workshop.