Summer season is fast approaching as we wind down the final month of spring. That makes this an ideal time to reflect on current news from the world of physiotherapy that you (the public) actually want to know about. Let’s review!
Top 3 Stories from the Spring of 2022 Regarding Physiotherapy You Need to Know About
May is National Physiotherapy Month!
To begin with, we bet you didn’t know that May is National Physiotherapy Month (NPM). Admittedly, this is something that you probably wouldn’t care about unless you were in the industry. However, this year is different. Each annum there is a unique theme to NPM and this time around it’s one that everyone cares about in some shape or form. For 2022, the event shines a spotlight on how important physiotherapy is in the treatment and ongoing recovery from the health crisis of the past two years:
“Physiotherapy expertise is a critical partner in Long COVID support and recovery. Research has shown that your clinical expertise is vital in rehab, intensive care units, hospital wards, step-down facilities, and community care. Physiotherapists are working in various health care domains to support current health system pressures and health care workforce planning and preparation due to COVID-19. Let’s use this opportunity to proudly show the nation the importance of our profession, especially now!” (Physiotherapy.ca)
Absolute PhysioCare has been at the forefront of the discussion on how physio can be leveraged to treat COVID patients since the whole thing began. As such, we encourage you to reference these important past articles (from yours truly!) right here:
3D Printing Enables Physiotherapy?
A news story recently broke that that has very interesting implications for stroke victims and others who desperately need physiotherapy (for recovery) yet may not have the ability to perform essential movements and exercises. It seems that 3D printing technology is filling in the physical gaps. Researchers have designed a comfortable wearable glove-like device that senses a patient’s limb or finger movements, and is able to apply adequate pressure and movement that could not have been applied without an assist. This speeds up the timeline for which a stroke patient (or possibly an amputee) can begin physical therapy and get on the road to recovery. The prospects and potential applications for other physical injuries and ailments are very exciting.
Virtual Physio Expected to Complement In-Clinic Visits for the Foreseeable Future
The workforce will never again look at the same. Corporations and professionals have found that working remotely part-time is just as productive (if not more so) as being in the office every day of the week. Virtual environments have not only reinvented the way people work, it has redefined health and wellness too, including physiotherapy. Earlier this month, eHealth released a report detailing how incorporating virtual physiotherapy with in-clinic visits can boost patient outcomes:
“This form of digital physiotherapy works extremely well for both parties in question – The doctors and practitioners in hospitals and clinics, and the patients themselves. With lesser time focused on travelling and coordination, both parties essentially save a large chunk of their valuable time […] and manage to tackle the problem faced virtually through visual discourse and a few simple tests to ascertain the condition and its severity.” (eHealth)
While virtual physiotherapy on it’s own doesn’t offer quite the same engagement and experience, there is definitely something to be said for the hybrid approach. This is especially true if you have a hectic schedule, and/or you prefer to work with a clinic that is better reviewed than those in your direct area. If you can’t make it into a clinic every week, consider a local one that offers both on-site and virtual visits.
The news stories above are a clear indicator regarding the importance of physiotherapy. Make it a part of your health and wellness plan for the remainder of 2022 and beyond. If you live in the Greater Vancouver area schedule a new year consultation at our Burnaby BC clinic today.