Rörelse som värde, mening och känsla : mot en humanvetenskaplig idealmodell för fysioterapi

Abstract

The research interest is based on a need for knowledge development related to the substantial gap between movement as a scientific concept and the practice concept of movement in physiotherapy (PT). The aim is to deepen the understanding of movement as a basic concept in PT and thereby expand the understanding of the PT discipline and paradigm. The thesis also aims to expand the understanding of movement as a universal scientific concept. The research questions are: 1) What is the meaning of movement as a basic concept in PT when relating to the ontological meaning, substance, form and essence? 2) What outlines for a scientific theory, with the foundation in the ontological meaning and essence of movement, can be brought forward and used as a basis for development of an internally shaped PT discipline? 3) What is the core and essence of movement as a universal concept? The dissertation is inspired by the tradition of caring, and based on a human science approach. The dissertation is categorized as basic research. The overall approach is hermeneutic and the methodology is based on Eriksson’s (2010a; 2012) model for concept determination consisting of ontological and contextual determination. The understanding of movement is deepened and the concept is explored from different perspectives: the semantic, the everyday life, the professional, the history of ideas and PT discipline in a hermeneutic spiral where the contextual characteristics are reflected on the ontological characteristics, and vice versa. The hermeneutic interpretation as a continuous spiral between part and the whole – relating the empirical and theory are central. The results of the dissertation consist of three new horizons of understanding: 1) movement as a basic and core concept in PT, 2) a contextual model of movement in PT and 3) a universal ideal model for natural movement. Movement as value, meaning and emotion, with natural movement as an ethos constitute a basic and core concept for PT as a human science. Natural movement is anchored in the historical core and traditional values of PT. The ontological meaning of movement expands the understanding of the active means and forms of movement in physiotherapy in relation to health, health processes and suffering. Natural movement as an ethos may form a research object within the PT discipline with its basis in the health cure and the ontological meaning of the movement concept. The ideal model constitutes a first outline of natural movement as a basic scientific concept. The natural movement of humans can increase the understanding of movement and the bodily dimension in relation to health and suffering. The models and theses, which are introduced as results of the study, are preliminary and provide a basis for further research. Movement as a basic and core concept enable a systematic further development of the PT discipline as a human science and movement as a universal scientific concept.