The 6th International Biophilia Rehabilitation Conference, September 5, 2008, Warsaw
   Honorary patronage by:  WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION  REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE, Country Office for Poland  MINISTRY OF HEALTH IN POLAND   

Address of the Chair

   


Mieczyslaw Pokorski 


Professor of Medicine 
Member of the Biophilia International Board
Institute of Psychology, Opole University
Department of Respiratory Research, 
Medical Research Center, Polish Academy of Science


Dear Colleges, 
We look much forward to welcome you to the 6th International Biophilia Rehabilitation Conference which is organized Warsaw, Poland on September 5, 2008. The conference is organized under the auspices of the International Biophilia Academy based in Japan and this time is set up jointly with the Medical Research Center in Warsaw, Poland. 

The World Health Organization Office for Poland kindly patronizes the conference. The Biophilia Academy is a growing international body devoted to clarification of physical phenomena and innovative rehabilitation medicine. The literary meaning of the word 'biophilia' may be expressed by 'love' for 'life'. That is actually the essence of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation, in the past, was most often associated with physical, neuro-musculo-skeletal recuperation after trauma, accidents, or various somatic ailments. 

That meaning has considerably evolved in recent times. We now talk about organ, like the lung, or system, like the respiratory system, rehabilitation. Psychological rehabilitation has moved to the center stage, as an extremely valuable rehabilitation tool in a variety of conditions. Finally, we also talk about 'physiological' rehabilitation that has to do with the counteracting of the aging process and making the quality of life better in the aged. 

Since the aging process is not a pathological condition, the latter area of rehabilitation is not related to disease ? quite a change from the original concepts of medical rehabilitation, isn't it? Aging is inevitable. Humans are destined to live to about 120 years. That is the biological limit of life for the time being. Any change in it, theoretically not implausible, would, however, require evolutionary genetic alterations, which usually takes millions of years. The thing is that due to various overlapping reasons, not least medical advancements, people live longer. We witness a rapid extension of the life span in nearly all societies. 

Individuals get closer and closer to the biological limit of life, which understandably causes a range of social problems, if not upheavals. Rehabilitation aimed at slowing the aging process, making the life of better quality for the aged, and promoting healthy life style is a new vogue. 'Love to the life' is universal and exists in all of us. That is the innate latent power that when mobilized may bring a change, which we, doctors, often see, irrespective of medicines, at the time when disease threatens life. 

That is also the psychological basis of rehabilitation success, when one wants to live with dignity when he becomes a handicapped person. Rehabilitation research is not so much abort methods and technical innovations, albeit always much desired, but about changing cultural attitudes to the handicapped to get rid of any kind of stigmatization of disabled persons, on the one side, and to strive to make them reach a level of independence in functioning by improving physical functioning and movableness.

The present conference ‘Advances in Rehabilitation’ is addressed to physical rehabiltators, sanatorium medicine, family doctors, psychologists, pulmonary rehabilitators, manufacturers of rehabilitation equipment, and other medically-related professions. In several sessions we will attempt to cover such areas of interest like psychophysical rehabilitation and aging, cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation, neuromuscular rehabilitation, and aspects of exercise, such as, e.g., motivative exercise for the disease-stricken elderly in other than vertical postures. 

We endeavor to compose a high level, well-balanced scientific program taking into account various aspects of rehabilitation. It is our goal to have a clinically oriented conference, which, however, cannot take place without the underlying basic science research. Therefore, our aim is to promote interdisciplinary discussions on cutting edge rehabilitation knowledge; the converging point being ‘BIOPHILIA’. 

The International Biophilia Academy is thriving to enlarge the focus of the clinical research line to actively contribute to the improvement of people's lives and welfare, in particular those who live into the old age. Hopefully, this conference will show that the Academy continues to prove its excellence and standing within the rehabilitation field. In keeping with the tradition of previous conferences, the organizers are preparing social events after the busy scientific program, with the hope of showing the participants something of Warsaw’s special attractions.