Absolutely!
This commonly asked question arises from the fact that for far too long physiotherapy has not been included as a part of essential health services in BC. What this means, is that unless covered by a private health plan, people seeking help for an acute or chronic injury would have to pay a physiotherapist out of pocket. Thankfully, the tide is changing on this to an extent. For example, the new ICBC Enhanced Care program covers physiotherapy treatment for as long as patients (who suffered an MVA injury) need it. This even includes clinical counseling. That said, BC Health Services do not yet include physiotherapy in general. So, to return to the question posed at the top of this article – is physiotherapy worth it? Yes, it absolutely is, and here’s why.
5 Reasons Why Cannot Afford to Skip Physiotherapy Treatment Any Longer
Because It’s Costing You Financially Not To
Did you know that chronic pain hits Canadians right in the pocketbook? According to the recent Canadian Pain Task Force Report it is taking a massive economic toll on households. Direct costs (expenditures for physician’s services, prescription drugs, and hospital inpatient and outpatient care) last year were between $15.1 and $17.2 billion. That’s over 10% of total combined health expenditures!
It’s time to stop looking at a physiotherapy session as a cash outflow. Instead, consider it an investment that delivers a tangible ROI in the form on zero sick-days (due to pain) and poor physical/mental productivity at your vocation/profession. By not investing in physiotherapy, you can directly impact your career/professional prospects and subsequently your household’s finances. As it turns out, you really can’t afford to skip physiotherapy any longer.
Because Your Quality of Life is Suffering Too
Can you put a price tag on family time? Actually you can, in a way. It’s priceless! Chronic pain and any sort of physical malfunction not only hampers you professionally (above) it directly impacts your ability to enjoy leisure time with friends, family, and other loved ones – including yourself. It can make sitting on a plane or in a car for a vacation trip intolerable. It can turn a movie theater seat into your enemy, and make you irritable amongst everyone in your social circle when it impacts your sleep. If any sort of pain, strain, or inability to move properly has ever prevented you from doing something you enjoy with people you enjoy spending time with, then you know that physiotherapy (from now on) is worth it.
Because Prevention is the Best Medicine
Some of you may assume that because you don’t currently experience any pain or malfunction that physiotherapy isn’t worth it. But consider this – if you knew that there was something that could significantly reduce your risk of sustaining a life-altering injury, would you not do it? What if all that it took was one or two sessions per month? Certainly you’d at least come see what the buzz was all about, right? Simply put, physiotherapy is the most essential step to maintaining a life free of chronic pain and dysfunction.
Because it May Uncover Something Else
Look, that pain and malfunction is most likely due to some sort of injury to a muscle, ligament, tissue, or tendon. However, sometimes the pain and malfunction is symptomatic of an underlying medical issue. If left unchecked it may escalate into more serious if not fatal territory. We’re not trying to be alarmist by any means – but you should at least confirm that the pain and discomfort you’re feeling is indeed the result of a tear, strain, or misalignment, and not due to a tumor or other deeper concern. If the latter, you will at least be able to tackle the problem (via proper medical treatment through your physician) and be on the road to recovery. Get peace of mind through physiotherapy today.
V. Because It May Be Covered After All
As alluded in the introduction, you may actually be covered for physiotherapy treatment through ICBC or your personal or company’s private health insurance. All you need to do is ask them! You may be pleasantly surprised to find out that you are, and if so, will qualify for direct billing (contingent upon clinic). When this is the case, the question about whether or not physiotherapy is worth it lands on the insurance provider, and not you!
Ready to move forward with life changing (for the better) physiotherapy? Schedule your first consultation at our Burnaby physiotherapy clinic today. We’re located right off of the Skytrain station and major transportation routes, so it doesn’t get much more convenient.