Physiotherapy in the News Summer 2020

The summer of 2020 is in full swing which marks the perfect time for a news update from the world of physiotherapy. It’s a good idea for current and future clients/patients to keep abreast with all that’s going on in the industry, especially since physiotherapy has grown from being labelled as an “alternative” form of health care to downright necessity for hundreds of thousands of BC residents. Below is a quick look at everything you need to know this season.

Physiotherapy News Updates You Need to Know About this Summer of 2020


Virtual Physiotherapy is Now a Mainstay

The exciting news that physiotherapy clinics throughout the province have reopened after the COVID-19 lockdowns has passed. But what about virtual (aka tele-health, aka online) physiotherapy? While many expected virtual physio to dissipate with the reopening of facilities, data collected from country-wide clinics finds that this is not the case. Virtual physiotherapy is now a mainstay.

This does not indicate that the public is not yet comfortable with returning to in-person sessions with their physiotherapist. It’s quite the opposite in fact, as clinics throughout BC have been buzzing with in-person consultation and appointment requests, boosting year-over-year inquiries for the period quite significantly (be sure to book now). 

So why is virtual physio sticking? Because people have found it to be an excellent complement to their in-person physical therapy regime. Online physiotherapy will continue to come in handy to account for a wide variety of scenarios. For instance, many of you have returned to full-time work and/or are venturing out on vacations across the province and country this summer. In continuing to provide online consultations and treatment, you won’t have to skip sessions until you can make it back to the clinic. In addition, it’s a great way for the uninitiated to get introduced to physiotherapy and get to know a given clinic and their staff. View more on how online physio is the perfect gateway to in-clinc care.

The applications for virtual physiotherapy as a complement to in-clinic visits are numerous. Have more questions about this news? Let’s discuss.

Society of Occupational Medicine Recommends Physiotherapy for Successful Return to the Workplace After Lockdown

As mentioned above, many of you are returning to work (or business) now that we’re in Phase 3 of the province’s reopening strategy. But just like athletes must to prepare for a return to sports, the returning workforce also needs physiotherapy. And no, we’re not being self-serving in that statement. Personnel Today reports that the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) recommends that as a part of occupational health (OH) services (including occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation, and more) that physiotherapy is instrumental to a successful return to the workplace after the Covid-19 lockdown. They indicate it plays a key role in terms of the following:

  • Education and intervention around psychological wellbeing
  • Onward referral and collaboration where additional specialist input is required
  • Intervention and support around breathlessness and fatigue management 
  • Facilitation of group/individual rehabilitation
  • Self-health-management techniques

Whether you are a staff member, HR manager, or business owner, it is highly recommended to encourage that your company adopt corporate wellness through physiotherapy.  It is more important than ever before. Contact us to discuss corporate plans.


Stay tuned to future physiotherapy updates, courtesy of Absolute PhysioCare.