FROM SCREENS TO STRENGTH: REIMAGINING DIGITAL WELL-BEING IN PHYSIOTHERAPY EDUCATION AND PRACTICE

Abstract

The fast adoption of digital technologies in 21st-century education has changed physiotherapy training and clinical practice. While virtual simulations, telehealth, and online courses offer new levels of accessibility, they also bring important digital well-being challenges. This chapter, "From Screens to Strength," looks at the contradictory shift in physiotherapy, a field focused on human movement and physical health that requires more sedentary, screen-bound engagement. By exploring the ergonomic, cognitive, and psychological effects of long-term digital use, this chapter calls for a human-centered teaching approach. It suggests practical ways to include physical well-being, digital hygiene, and ergonomic awareness directly into the physiotherapy curriculum. It also connects education and practice, showing how tech-savvy students can become practitioners who tackle the growing problem of technology-related musculoskeletal disorders in their patients. Ultimately, rethinking digital well-being in physiotherapy education is not just an academic need but a professional must to help future clinicians navigate the digital world with strength, resilience, and a strong commitment to holistic health.