Fysioterapeuten (Dec 2022)
An experience of being split - a discourse analytical approach to how psychomotor physiotherapy position itself as a dicipline and treatment approach
Abstract
Aim: To investigate how psychomotor physiotherapy present its treatment approach and position itself in the treatment field. Design, material and method: The information video about psychomotor physiotherapy, produced by NFF’s profession group for psychomotor physiotherapy was analyzed through the use of discourse as method and theory. Specifically, the study was inspired by Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse theory. Findings: The findings highlight how psychomotor physiotherapy position itself in a constant movement between different discourses. On the one hand, the video proposes an understanding of the body as the site of expression and lived experience and on the other, as an object with mechanical properties. Further, the discipline refers to an understanding of illness as complex and at the same time it expresses an understanding of specific causal relationships. The findings show how psychomotor physiotherapy connects itself to the biomedical discourse by presenting treatment as an intervention aiming at removing/curing the patient’s problem. Conclusion: Psychomotor physiotherapy seeks to challenge a traditional understanding of body, illness, and treatment, while at the same time being deeply rooted in the biomedical tradition. Insight into how biomedical thinking and understanding is reflected in the language can contribute to increase awareness and be a help in further development of the discipline and its position in the health care system.
