The physiotherapist and the doctor in Singapore are like 2 wings of the same bird. The bird cannot fly without the 2 wings, just like a patient cannot go back to his daily activities without the services of both the physiotherapist and the doctor.

Both the above health professionals provide treatment to the patient but the treatment provided is very different. They have similar but not exactly the same, education and their modes of diagnosing and treating a patient is very different.

A doctor in Singapore would hold a Bachelor or Master in Medicine. Most doctors followed up with skills specialization such as surgery, orthopaedics, sports medicine, neurological.

A physiotherapist in Singapore would have completed a Diploma or Bachelor or Master degree in physiotherapy. Most physiotherapists also continue skills specialization to sports injury, orthopedics musculoskeletal, cardiac, neurological or stroke rehabilitation.

Though both the doctor and physiotherapy courses share a lot of common subjects, there are differences in emphasis on particular subject matter. Doctors would have more pharmacology medicines and prescription of drugs. Physiotherapist would have more practical knowledge in pain treatment, exercise therapy and rehabilitation.

However both faculties have subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, Medicine, Orthopedics, Clinical assessment and examination etc. as a part of their study material. Hence both are capable of making a clinical diagnosis.

The diagnosis and analysis of a condition may be a little different, eg for back pain. A normal doctor may tell you that you are suffering from chronic back pain. An orthopedic specialist doctor may diagnose you of slipped disc after a MRI scan. A physiotherapist may tell you have a weak muscle and stiff joint movements that caused the pressure on the disc and pain. It is different ways of looking at the same thing. A physiotherapist will examine the possible causes and treat from the root cause of back pain. The doctor will prescribe medicines painkiller or muscle relaxant for pain or referred to a physiotherapist to treat back pain.

A physiotherapist treats with noninvasive methods like exercises, home modifications, pain relief equipment, whereas a doctor prescribes medicines. The noninvasive modes of treatment have no side effects and are very safe to administer.

Also, a physiotherapist's work starts after the doctor did an operation eg. After a knee replacement, spinal surgeries, cardiac surgeries or even after delivery of baby. The surgeon operates but thereafter, it's the physiotherapist's job to take over the patient from the operating table back to his daily activities or sports.

In a critical intensive care unit (ICU), the doctor prescribes medicine to reduce inflammation, treat infections and a physiotherapist makes sure there are no secondary complications by administering chest physiotherapy, changing positions, stretching muscles and mobilizing the patient.

Thus the doctor and the physiotherapist in Singapore share a symbiotic relationship in restoring the health of the patient to normal as soon as possible.

If you are seeking medical help, it is easy to be confused with the term physiotherapy & doctors. You have to be aware of the difference between a physiotherapist and a physician when it comes to musculoskeletal injuries.
You can book appointment directly with a Singapore physiotherapist should a need arise. You can simply walk in to a physio clinic and call a physiotherapist about your health problems.

Visit Singapore Physiotherapist at Physioclinic (http://www.physioclinic.sg)