World Physiotherapy Day was observed on September 8th 2015 around the globe. This year’s theme: Fulfilling Potential was aimed at educating the world on the vast benefits physiotherapy can impart on a wide range of patient populations and conditions.
Physiotherapists are experts in developing and maintaining people’s ability to move and function throughout their lives. With an advanced understanding of how the body moves and what keeps it from moving well, they promote wellness, mobility and independence. They treat and prevent many problems caused by pain, illness, impairments and disease, sport and work related injuries, ageing and long periods of inactivity.
Physiotherapists work with people affected by a wide range of conditions and symptoms. Examples may include:
• painful conditions such as arthritis, repetitive strain injury, neck and back pain
• cancer
• strokes, Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injury
• heart problems
• lung disease
• trauma, such as road traffic accidents and falls
• incontinence
They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, health centres, sports facilities, education and research centres, hospices and nursing homes, and in rural and community settings.
To observe World Physiotherapy Day in Anguilla, The Physiotherapy Department (in collaboration with the Department of Health Information and Caribbean Wellness Day Committee) visited the four nursing homes on the island to encourage daily physical activity and exercise for the elderly. Caribbean Wellness Week is observed from September 7th -11th under theme “Healthy lifestyle, Healthy ageing”. Thus, it was fitting that we target the ageing population into our World Physiotherapy Day activity and encourage the entire population at large to remain active as they age.
Older adults engaged in regular physical activity demonstrate improved balance, strength, coordination, motor control, flexibility and endurance. As a result, physical activity can reduce the risk of falls – a major cause of disability among older people.
Participation in regular exercise programmes leads to older adults having higher levels of function, greater independence, and improved quality of life. Exercise programmes can help to achieve levels of activity that will bring health benefits and slow down functional decline that might normally be expected with age. Even for those in their 80s and 90s, exercise programmes postpone disability and maintain independent living.
If you have any complaints or injuries, please talk to your doctor or health care provider about any complaints or injuries you may have. They will help determine if physiotherapy is the right option for you. Also remember do not begin any new exercise programme without first seeking your doctor’s advice.
If you require any more information, you can also call the Physiotherapy Department located at the Ann Victoria Smith or Welches Polyclinic at 497-4020.
