Physiotherapy receiving increased recognition since the pandemic

– Local Physiotherapy Specialist says
“PHYSIOTHERAPY has been important, however, as people [have] become more aware of its benefits in recent years, physiotherapy now has greater demand.”

These were the words of Paula Alexander, a Guyana Physiotherapy Association member, during an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine.

Alexander further outlined that during the COVID- 19 pandemic, when everyone created virtual working areas, there was an increase in electronic devices.

She further noted that one of the major downsides of this development is that many people have learnt the importance of good posture when using electronic devices.

“Immediately, after the acute phase of the pandemic, many people sought help, for example, for moderate to severe neck, low back and wrist pain, among others,” Alexander noted during her interview.

Most physiotherapists, according to Alexander, encountering such persons would advise them that while receiving physiotherapy would help relieve their discomfort, they needed to make some often simple adjustments to their work areas, thus positioning their electronic devices and their own posture, to get long-term relief.

Alexander noted that physiotherapy is now even more important, partly due to the increased number of foreign industrial companies.

“Employees at these companies will inevitably suffer industrial accidents and their employees would require that they return on the work site, optimally healed, as soon as possible in order to ensure optimal production of the affected work site,” Alexander noted during her interview.

It therefore means that injured employees who are taken to doctors after they would have received their optimal healing would receive recommendations to go to physiotherapy for full rehabilitation.

The Benefits of Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy can significantly help a wide variety of conditions.

These include sports injuries, neuromuscular conditions, post-traumatic injuries and postural defects.

Although it is not so common in Guyana, physiotherapy is beneficial to pregnant women through the antenatal classes and even when gynaecologists require a reference for their patients who may be suffering from a few gynaecological problems.

Alexander clarified that physiotherapy is not a cure for all, nor is it a massage, as some mistakenly think.

Massage forms a small part of physiotherapy. A physiotherapist may administer a full treatment without doing a massage.

Alexander, during her interview, noted that physiotherapy comes in various modalities, including heat or ice, therapeutic exercises, and advice, on necessary lifestyle and postural changes the patient will have to make to achieve full, effective, functional rehabilitation.

She also noted that many athletes have been short-changed and, in some cases, harmed by people who assume they know some massage techniques.

“There is a walk-in sports clinic at the National Aquatic Centre, where athletes can go and get professional physiotherapy done, from qualified and professional physiotherapists free of charge,” Alexander disclosed .

The (Guyana Physiotherapy Association) GPA is affiliated with the World Confederation on Physiotherapy (WCPT) and a member of the North American Regional Caribbean (NACR) arm of the world body.

Past President of the association, Isha Urlin, had outlined in an article dated November 28, 2021 in the Guyana Chronicle that the association has been impactful in: creating opportunities for continuing education of its members (physiotherapists), both professionally and personally; advocating and promoting efforts towards the establishment of a legislative body – the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC).

This body is responsible for the registration and licensing of not only physiotherapists, but all other allied health professions to be protected under the laws of Guyana, in their practice; promoting efforts to encourage physiotherapists to perform at the highest level with high ethical standards; supporting the establishment of training physiotherapists at the University of Guyana and participating in the international body – World Confederation of Physical Therapists (WCPT) and is a part of the North American Regional Caribbean grouping of that body.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.