抄録
We usually emphasize the objectivity of physiotherapy because of its reliability and validity. When we usually do physiotherapy, we can find out various physiotherapeutical problems in accordance with objective evaluation of the patient. We can then set up a rehabilitation goal, and sometimes we might prescribe scientific exercise for a patient. However, is that all we need? In particular, how about the great number of chronic cases? If we persist in our scientific method, we couldn't discover the whole patient. I suggest we need to use not only a rational medical rehabilitation approach but also an existential medical rehabilitation approach for chronic patients. Existential medicine means holistic medicine. Even if we can't expect improvement in the disability of all chronic patients, we must understand what their problem is as a whole patient, and be concerned about their suffering. If so, they may communicate real narratives. This promotes healing for them. It may also build confidence between patient and physiotherapist. This would be a different kind of rahabilitation based upon caring. The point I want to make is that a existential medical rehabilitation has seen a great number of chronic patients change from a suffering existence to a healing existence.
