Promotion of regular physio check-ups as part of a regular wellness routine (similar to dental hygiene) could greatly improve the health outlook of Ontario’s population, and become a standard part of disease and disability prevention. Physiotherapists can earn a greater place of prominence and increased respect in the eyes of the public and the Primary Health Care Team by giving healthy people tools to use for self-monitoring, and by encouraging the patient/ consumer to take responsibility for their own injuries. Physiotherapists are primary health care professionals with a significant role in health promotion and treatment of injury and disease. They combine their in-depth knowledge of the body and how it works with specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat symptoms of illness, injury or disability. Eleven million Canadians over the age of 12 years old are affected by musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions annually. Strong evidence exists to support physiotherapy in their treatment. Physiotherapy contributes to improved physical function, allowing individuals to return to healthy living, including return to work and recreational activities. Orthopedic physical therapists diagnose, manage, and treat disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system including rehabilitation after orthopedic surgery. acute trauma such as sprains, strains, and injuries of insidious onset such as tendinopathy and bursitis. This speciality of physical therapy is most often found in the out-patient clinical setting. Orthopedic therapists are trained in the treatment of post-operative orthopedic procedures, fractures, acute sports injuries, arthritis, sprains, strains, back and neck pain, spinal conditions, and amputations. Joint and spine mobilization/manipulation, acupuncture, therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular techniques, muscle re-education, hot/cold packs, and electrical muscle stimulation (e.g., cryotherapy, electrotherapy) are modalities employed to expedite recovery in the orthopedic setting. Traditionally clinics see an industry standard of 4 people an hour and hire numerous staff. Client typically have 30 to 45 minute sessions but may only see the physiotherapist for 15 minutes or less of that time. My personal 1 on 1 sessions are geared toward creating a shared responsibility between the client and the therapist (myself) with education being the focus. Health care consumers and patients are changing—just as the system itself is changing— and this growing demographic is beginning to represent a new generation of health care consumer. These new patients (and their families) want to be a part of the conversation regarding health care options; they want to understand what is best for them. Patients now expect to be active participants in their own treatment. This identifies a cultural shift in health care: a move from being provider-centred to patient-centred, where the patient is a partner in their own rehabilitation and health maintenance. Physiotherapists are fully equipped to be a significant part of this change. In 2011, an estimated 5.0 million Canadians were 65 years of age or older. This number is expected to double in the next 25 years to reach 10.4 million seniors by 2036. By 2051, about one in four Canadians is expected to be 65 or over. Canada’s high ranking (5th out of 91 countries) in the “Global Age Watch Index” (HelpAge International 2013) represents a relatively high quality of life experienced by older Canadians. That being said, we can safely assume that despite these positive statistics, Canada’s older population will still face health challenges—many of them complex—as the natural course of aging takes its toll on the musculoskeletal system, and as rates of diseases associated with aging increase. This aging demographic is placing extra demands on the health care system. I am trying something new, I want to be fulfilled in helping others achieve their goals so I am available by appointment only, to individuals looking to for physiotherapy. As costs to administer extended health plans continue to rise, employers are trying to meet the wellness needs of their employees by offering strategies for stress management, regular medical screenings and other preventive health care measures. The goal is to make physiotherapy a more preventative measure.
