If you're living a better life with no pain then you're happier

Her celebrity clientele swears by her, and it's her whom they go to, when some of the hottest and fittest bods in B-town suffer a sprain or a spasm or body movement issues. Meet Hemakshi Basu, city based physiotherapist who has been practising for over two decades and currently inher 21st year of practice. But she's not content with her practice alone, Basu who is passionate about her profession with a goal to providing better quality of life to her patients is changing notions, breaking stereotypes and introducing new and innovative concepts of treatment in the field of physiotherapy. Excerpts from an interview:

Why did you choose become a physiotherapist?
I decided to choose physio because my aunt (dad's sister and a physiotherapist) guided me into becoming one. When I saw her, I realised that as much as a doctor is important to save a patient's life, we (physiotherapists) are equally important to give a patient a better quality of life. At the end of the day, you can be saved but if you're living a better life with no pain then you're happier. Physiotherapy is not just about adding years to your life but also adding quality.
Also, another reason was because it was a fantastic field where you can balance work, home and you can continue your ongoing education. I did my under-graduation from K.E.M Hospital as a graduate physiotherapist. After that I work here for two-three years and my guide, my teacher Dr Nandu Chhabria, whom I started working under, pushed me to do my masters degree. I studied in Australia, studied Manual Therapy which is one of the most latest concept and most effective form of treatment where physio was concerned.

How were things back then and how are things now?
Physiotherapy 20 years back was not really "happening" field. But I had a vision that I know it's going to improve and I said that if it doesn't doesn't improve, then I'll make sure that it improve. But with years I've seen it evolve really well. I've been teaching for the last 17 years and I have managed to change the thought process and process of treating patients with the conservative mode of treatment to the-now current concepts.

Has there been an improvement in the standard of practice and facilities?
There has been marked improvement but we also need to improve a lot more. When I was studying I was reading form books that were published when I was born. The books have now been upgraded at colleges, the teachers are now involved with a lot of current concepts.
Another thing that has changed is having scope for continuing your education. When I was studying, after doing graduation, we never had workshops. You need to keep yourself updated. Lot of people have gone abroad and come back, and teach. Today there are many academies that are holding workshops. That's great because education abroad is expensive. Not everybody can afford it.

Tell us about your workshops...
We started in Mumbai and are now planning to expand to other cities like Delhi, Bangalore. In the last five years, I have also invited a very current concept called Movement Solutions. Sarah Mottram, an international tutor has been coming to India for the last five years. We try to organise one international workshop every year and we have about 30-40 physiotherapists who enroll for it.

What changes have you brought through your practice?
In earlier times, one needed to do physio for a month or two months and everyday, it doesn't work like that anymore. When I came back from Australia that whole thought process changed. Instead of treating a patient for one month continuous, I realised that I can see them for three sessions a month and still get the same results, rather I'd say much better results. If you see them them even one or twice a week, it's more effective for the patient and they are more compliable.

What perceptions do you want to change about physiotherapy?
A couple of perceptions. One is that we don't need to treat the patient everyday. Second, we don't need to put them on electrical modalities all the time. I only treat patients through exercises. Thirdly, the rapport between the physio and the orthopedic doctor. That rapport I've really managed to change. The fourth thing I want to change is that you must involve the patient. It's the patient and therapist working together to help the patient.

Any stereotypes associated with this profession?
Yes, that physios do massage. That really irritates me. With my set of patients, they what know what I do. It's changing in the bigger cities. Besides the massage, they (physios) will make you exercise. I tell my patients, "We will exercise!" It's not like you come, we'll make you exercise and then you go home. Another notion is that people think is physios sek karayenge. That they will make you use a heating pad and you're out of there.

Earlier, physiotherapy was considered for old people. Do you see a young people nowadays? Why is it happening so?
Yes, lots of them. A lot of back and neck issues because of bad postures, bad eating habits, and long time spent on computers, laptops and tablets. It's also because everyone's thought process has changed, there's more awareness now.

Your advice for a normal person with no problems?
One, you need to have your nutrition in place. Food is important, you can't just only exercise. Don't skip water because it affects the musculoskeletal system. Small things make difference, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

Your advice for aspiring physiotherapists.
Do it because you love it. The moment you graduate everyone wants to handle patients, which is good but try doing it in a bigger setup like a hospital where you can learn. Get yourself involved wit your patients, which is very important.

What's the youngest patient you've had?
My youngest patient with a problem has been between the ages of 10-12. But I've had much younger ones like for example, if a child is not walking properly, parents want to check if there's a problem and get it corrected now than wait for later.

How many hours do you work in a day?
I don't work for more than four-four-and-a-half hours and I work five days a week. And I love my work.

Why do celeb clients suffer injuries despite staying fit?
Since the gymming population has increased, injuries keep happening. One is because you don't have great trainers, but that is changing. People just want to hit the gym and they get all enthusiastic about it and that's when you mess up the spine or shoulder because you've done something you're not aware of. The thing about celebs is that they follow the theory of expansion and contraction. When they have nothing to do, they just let go. But now in two months, they have a movie to do, so I have pump as much as I can. They have a very hectic lifestyle. So if the situation doesn't demand to be fit, then they just let go of it.

PSST... We found out that …
Hemakshi refuses to divulge names and details about her celebrity clientele. But we found that amongst her crème da la creme clients, the most disciplined ones are Bipasha Basu, who sought Hemakshi's help for her knee problem many years ago still follows Hemakshi's exercises. Hrithik Roshan too is very diligent with exercises, and that clearly shows! Also, Salman Khan's sister Alvira swears by Hemakshi who thought she need a surgery but was running fit and fine just after two sessions with Basu.