Opinions
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Physiotherapy will get you moving! |
Physiotherapists combine in-depth knowledge of how the body works with specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat symptoms of illness, injury or disability.
With your independence in mind, a physiotherapist’s goal is to restore, maintain and maximize your strength, function, movement and overall well-being.
Physiotherapists prescribe personalized therapeutic exercises and provide essential education about the body; what keeps it from moving well, how to restore mobility and independence and how to avoid or prevent bodily harm.
University education, along with clinical and professional training, provides physiotherapists with the knowledge they need to help people of all ages and abilities to improve their level of physical function.
Physiotherapists can help you increase your mobility, relieve your pain, build your strength, improve your balance and increase your cardiovascular fitness.
However, knowledge of the important role of physiotherapists is not fully understood in the Philippines. Among people in the rural areas, traditional medicine has instead always been an important part of community health. This includes the use of herbal medicines and the existence of healers or hilots.
In the Philippines, law prohibits physiotherapists from providing services without a referral from a medical doctor, which makes it difficult to access physiotherapists in private clinics. Most public hospitals provide physiotherapy but are found in urban areas while those who cannot afford physiotherapy are concentrated in rural areas. Even for those who can afford private health insurance, physiotherapy coverage is rarely included in the plan.
You’re in good hands
Fortunately, Canadians benefit from timely access to physiotherapist services. This is important since evidence shows that early access to the physiotherapist improves health outcomes, reduces time lost from work and costs the health care system less.
As primary health care professionals, physiotherapists can be consulted in Canada without a doctor’s referral. Most Canadians connect with local physiotherapists for health services by contacting them directly.
Physiotherapists work in hospitals, community health centres, residential care and assisted-living facilities, home visit agencies, workplaces, schools and private clinics. If you see a physiotherapist in hospital, coverage is provided through Manitoba Health. In private clinics, physiotherapists can bill directly to Manitoba Public Insurance, Workers Compensation Board or private health insurance companies. This means that less than 10% of clients pay the full cost of physiotherapy service.
To find out more about what we do, how we help and conditions we treat, visit www.physiotherapy.ca. May is National Physiotherapy Month, to see a list of events happening in the city or to find a physiotherapist near you visit www.mbphysio.org.
Adrian Salonga is a graduate of the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Rehabilitation in Physical Therapy. Please send your questions regarding mobility, health promotion or injury prevention to feedback@pilipino-express.com