Every once in awhile we like to update the masses (err…those residing in the Greater Vancouver area) with news about physiotherapy as it pertains to the public, and this midsummer week looks like as good a time as any. Below we have dropped a few key media tidbits about what’s going on in a world that seeks to restore, maintain and maximize your strength, function, movement, and overall well-being.
Two Recent Media Reports Regarding Physiotherapy You Need to Know About
Opioid Industry Shows Its True Colors
We’ve been pretty vocal about the opioid crisis and how its application in pain management has led to one of the worst addiction epidemics the world has ever seen. But you don’t need to hear that from us, as one look at recent news compounds the concerns, while shining a spotlight on the industry’s true colors.
For instance, on July 17 2019 it was reported that drugmakers and distributors increased shipments of opioid painkillers across the United States as reported addictions accelerated from 2006 to 2012. That’s right, during a period when proven opioid addictions were hitting a first ever peak, the industry subsequently pumped more into the market. Coincidence? We’ll let you be the judge. Then, about 18 hours ago (prior to publishing this article) CNN reported that a federal grand jury in the U.S. indicted a major pharmaceutical wholesaler along with pharmacists for conspiring to illegally distribute millions of prescription painkillers to states hit hardest by opioid addition. The crisis is not exclusive to our neighbors south of the border, as we have also reported on recent opioid-based tragedies here in British Columbia. Unfortunately, all you have to do is perform a Google News search about “opioids” and hit the refresh button every few minutes to uncover a new tragedy that may have been avoided if more physicians would prescribe physiotherapy as a first line of defense against pain management. Learn more about opioids versus physiotherapy.
Canadians Ask for Physiotherapy to be Included in Health Care Coverage
A recent Angus Reid poll found that Canadians are very well aware of the fact that manual therapy and physiotherapy are highly effective in injury rehabilitation and pain management. So why isn’t everyone doing it? For some, it’s cost, or perceived cost.
“Canadians of all income levels say they would use more services offered by the health care system if they were not prevented from doing so due to costs. For example, half of Canadians in pain say they would use more physical treatments like physiotherapy but are unable.” (Angus Reid Institute, July 12, 2019)
We state perceived cost for a few reasons. For one, many people don’t have a full understanding the cost of going without physiotherapy. When you add up the cost of missed work (and lost wages) and/or inability to seek other more lucrative forms of income due to pain (which restricts what you can do) you’ll more than likely find that you can’t afford to skip physiotherapy. Then, there is the fact that people may not know what healthcare funding is available to them. Partial or full physiotherapy coverage is included in many company health plans. but so few people think to inquire with their corporate health plan provider. Your employer may not even know – so be sure to contact the provider directly. In addition, In BC, residents eligible for First Nations Health Authority benefits or MSP Premium Assistance may receive partial funding for physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic treatment, acupuncture and other commonly cited pain treatments available at clinics such as ours.
In an effort to make physiotherapy more accessible to you, our clinic will soon be offering direct billing, so many of you won’t have to “come out of pocket” to get started on your rehabilitation. Contact us here to discuss your options.
All in all, the strong demand for physiotherapy to be included under federal and provincial healthcare is growing by the day and hopefully governing bodies will respond to the call-to-action. This is especially true if they hope to subvert the aforementioned prescription painkiller crisis.