May is Physiotherapy Month

May is Physiotherapy Month and this year the Canadian Physiotherapy Association celebrates their 100-year anniversary. Physiotherapy is a critical part of the health care system. As a profession, physiotherapy started due to the rehabilitation demands from the polio pandemic in the 1920’s, and now in 2020 we are witnessing unprecedented times with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Physiotherapy entry-to-practice education includes theory, problem solving and skills in the classroom, which is solidified with supervised clinical placements with mandatory hours in musculoskeletal, neurological and cardio-respiratory areas of practice. Physiotherapists are an important part of the inter-professional team during this pandemic in the acute management assisting with prone positioning and mobility and in the post-acute management for people recovering from COVID. For the rest of Canadians, physiotherapists are implementing virtual care for non-urgent conditions and continue to be open in practices to serve people with urgent and acute conditions. Physiotherapists across the country encourage all Canadians to maintain (or increase!) their fitness and mobility as exercise, healthy eating and good sleep are the best immune boosters.

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is celebrating Physiotherapy during the week of May 18-22. Try one of these fun and challenging activities each day at home with your family or with friends (virtually or in small groups respecting physical distancing) to help with your fitness and mobility goals. All under five minutes in duration can easily be done over your lunch break:

1. Bring sally up squat challenge
2. Cha cha slide plank challenge
3. Roxanne burpee challenge
4. Five Minute yoga with Adrienne
5. Beyonce core workout