Protecting the Integrity of Physiotherapy: Misconceptions Around Ceragem and Similar Claims
Recently, a lady visited my centre and asked: “Kya yaha par Ceragem wali physiotherapy hoti hai? Does this centre offer Ceragem physiotherapy?”
Her question caught me by surprise. At first, I wondered whether this was some new treatment technique in physiotherapy that I had not come across. But after researching, I discovered that Ceragem is not physiotherapy at all. Instead, it is a company that manufactures thermal acupressure machines, promoted as devices that can treat a wide range of conditions.
The real concern, however, lies not in the existence of these machines, but in how they are marketed and misrepresented. Many patients are led to believe that using a machine is equivalent to receiving physiotherapy. As professionals, we must examine why this is misleading and how it affects both patients and our noble profession.
What Exactly Is Ceragem?
Ceragem produces machines that combine heat therapy and mechanical acupressure. These machines are designed to mimic massage and claim to relieve pain, improve circulation, and promote relaxation.
However, in promotional materials, the various “modes” of the machine are given names similar to physiotherapy modalities, such as heat therapy or massage therapy. This creates confusion for patients, who start believing they are receiving physiotherapy treatment.
Even more concerning is the exaggerated list of claims. Some advertisements state that Ceragem can treat conditions ranging from simple back pain to serious illnesses like cancer. Such sweeping promises are not supported by clinical evidence and can be potentially dangerous if patients delay or avoid proper medical care.
How Physiotherapy Differs from Machines
It is important to clarify the distinction:
-
Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession, not a machine or a mode of treatment. It involves years of academic training, clinical practice, and licensing to ensure safe, effective, and evidence-based care.
-
Physiotherapy treatment is individualized. A physiotherapist assesses each patient’s unique condition, designs a treatment plan, and modifies it over time according to progress.
-
Techniques may include manual therapy, exercise prescription, electrotherapy modalities, posture correction, rehabilitation programs, and counseling. These require professional judgment and cannot be replaced by a single device.
A machine like Ceragem may provide temporary relaxation, but it does not—and cannot—replace the expertise, skill, and holistic approach of a trained physiotherapist.
Who Is Affected by Such Misrepresentations?
The misuse of the term “physiotherapy” has consequences for two groups:
-
Patients
-
They may be misled into thinking they are receiving professional care.
-
They might spend money and time on treatments with unproven claims.
-
In serious conditions (like cancer or neurological disorders), reliance on such machines may delay essential medical intervention.
-
-
Physiotherapists
-
Years of education, training, and clinical practice are overshadowed when unrelated products are falsely marketed as physiotherapy.
-
The credibility of the profession is weakened when patients confuse machine-based therapy with evidence-based rehabilitation.
-
Our noble profession, built on compassion and science, is reduced to a commercial gimmick in the eyes of many.
-
Other Misnomers in the Health Market
Ceragem is not alone in this misuse. There are several other “therapies” that borrow from or imitate physiotherapy’s name:
-
Neurotherapy – often marketed as a cure-all without clear scientific basis.
-
Oxygen therapy – promoted as a universal solution to multiple health conditions.
-
Other machine-based systems that claim to provide physiotherapy-like benefits.
While some of these may offer supportive health benefits, none of them should be falsely labeled as physiotherapy. This confuses patients and undermines trust in genuine healthcare systems.
How Should We Respond?
The solution lies not in dismissing these questions, but in education and awareness. Here are key steps we can take:
1. Educate Patients
When patients ask about “Ceragem physiotherapy” or similar treatments, instead of reacting with frustration, we should explain the difference clearly. Patients need to know that physiotherapy is a profession, not a device.
2. Promote Awareness Through Platforms
Blogs, workshops, community talks, and social media campaigns can help spread accurate information. If patients hear directly from professionals, they are less likely to be misled by marketing claims.
3. Collaborate With Other Health Systems Respectfully
While alternative therapies may have their own benefits, they should be honest about what they are. As physiotherapists, we can maintain professional boundaries while encouraging truthful representation of different health practices.
4. Uphold Professional Standards
Each physiotherapist must maintain the highest level of ethics and evidence-based practice. The stronger our reputation as a professional community, the less room there will be for confusion or imitation.
Practical Tips for Patients: How to Identify Genuine Physiotherapy
-
Check qualifications – A physiotherapist should hold a recognized degree (BPT, MPT, or higher) and be registered with the appropriate council or association.
-
Look for assessment – Genuine physiotherapy always begins with a detailed patient assessment, not just the use of a machine.
-
Treatment is personalized – No two patients receive the exact same program. If you are offered a “one-size-fits-all” approach, be cautious.
-
Evidence-based methods – Physiotherapists use established techniques supported by research, not miracle claims.
-
Professional setting – Physiotherapy is practiced in clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation centres—not through standalone gadgets.
A Call for Discussion
Ceragem is just one example of how physiotherapy’s name is being misused. There are many similar systems—neurotherapy, oxygen therapy, and more—that ride on the credibility of physiotherapy to attract patients.
Have you encountered such situations where patients confused machines or alternative treatments with physiotherapy? How do you address these misconceptions in your practice or community?
I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments. Together, we can protect the nobleness of physiotherapy, educate patients, and preserve the integrity of our profession.
Conclusion
Physiotherapy is a trusted, evidence-based, and noble profession built on years of scientific knowledge, clinical training, and human compassion. No machine or unproven therapy can replace the expertise of a physiotherapist.
As professionals, our responsibility is not just to treat patients but also to guide them, educate them, and shield them from misconceptions. In doing so, we honor the dignity of physiotherapy and ensure that patients receive the safe, ethical, and effective care they truly deserve.
