By Sade Adewale, Ondo

An accomplished academic and physiotherapist, Professor Ayodele Onigbinde, has stated that while pain and disability can be debilitating, the dexterity of the fingers and needle-free injection therapy are critical to achieving optimal function and ensuring a good quality of life.

Onigbinde made this remark during the 5th Inaugural Lecture held at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), TETFund Lecture Theatre, Laje Campus, Ondo City.

The inaugural lecturer noted, “Pain exists even before birth and during delivery, and people must experience it. Even the repair process after damage or injury causes pain.”

He further explained, “Naturally, with ageing, the human body experiences ‘wear and tear.’ A misused, injured, untreated, and mechanically deranged body will produce pain, leading to disability and a reduction or loss of physical functions.”

Onigbinde added that pain and loss of physical function impair daily activities, leading to negative economic consequences and a reduced quality of life. These are the challenges physiotherapists face daily in their careers, aiming to restore a deranged physical body.

He defined pain as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling, actual or potential tissue damage.

According to him, disability is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for a person to engage in activities around them (participation restrictions).

Onigbinde also noted that pain and disability present significant challenges that cannot be resolved with medication alone. He emphasised that the wide array of pain conditions requires multi-modal interventions and a multidisciplinary approach, highlighting the need for more than just clinical management.

Reflecting on his academic journey and experience as a physiotherapist, Professor Onigbinde concluded that while pain and disability can be overwhelming, the skillful use of hands and needle-free injection therapy are crucial to restoring maximum function and ensuring a good quality of life for all physiotherapy clients.