- “Is a doctor of physiotherapy a ‘real’ doctor?”
- “How can I do physiotherapy at home?”
- “Will physiotherapy treat my condition?”
These are just a few of the physiotherapy-related questions that get Googled every day. People are curious about physiotherapy and want to know if it can benefit them. That’s why we publish monthly interviews with certified, passionate, experienced physiotherapists — so that readers can get their questions answered from reliable sources.
Catch up on a few of our physiotherapist interviews to find answers to your questions about physiotherapy:
- Physiotherapist Explains How to Prevent Falls and Injuries at Work
- Interview with Elite Sports Injury Physiotherapist Leah Dlot
- Physiotherapist Rhea Dufort Reveals What Only PTs Know
Elliott Cooke (B.Sc., MPT), a physiotherapist at Elite Sports Injury Physiotherapy Clinics in Winnipeg, provided our most recent interview. Read it below.
Interview with Physiotherapist Elliott Cooke (Elite Sports Injury Physiotherapy Clinics)
Q) What is one question you wish you got asked more often as a physiotherapist?
A) “What can I still do?” According to some guy named Newton, “A body in motion tends to stay in motion.” Not surprisingly, this holds true for the human body. Much research has shown that maintaining an active lifestyle leads to beneficial changes in tissues, and one’s emotional state. Although there is a time and place for immobilization or decreased intensity of activity, it is generally a good idea to keep moving, whether it is a different activity that doesn’t interfere with an injury, or the same activity with a change in technique. There is a multitude of ways to work around an injury to keep a body in motion. This question makes me think that a patient is in the right frame of mind when approaching their situation because they have a goal they want to achieve.
Q) What do you enjoy most about being a physiotherapist?
A) Feeling confident that I can add value to most peoples’ days. When considering both hands on work and education, I can say that there are typically helpful pieces of information, or therapies that I can provide to help guide recovery.
Q) What are 3 questions all PT patients should ask their physiotherapist?
A) “What can I still do?” – please refer to paragraph one.
“What can I do to minimize my future risk?”
“Why am I doing these stupid exercises? Is there some sort of trajectory here or does my therapist have no idea what’s going on?”
Q) What does the average physiotherapy session entail?
A) A lot of talking, some hands-on work, a few exercises, and a couple of laughs.
Q) What is your personal definition of physiotherapy?
A) I think the College would have a word with me if I started changing their definitions on a whim, so I’ll use this: “The practice of physiotherapy is the assessment and treatment of the body by physical or mechanical means for the purpose of restoring, maintaining or promoting physical function, mobility or health, or to relieve pain.”
The use of “or” in this definition makes it seem like these are mutually exclusive treatment goals, like fries or salad, but I’m sure we are better than that.
Q) Please provide a couple of fun Swede facts about physiotherapy.
A) Physiotherapist is Sjukgymnast in Swedish.
The profession was initially recognised in Sweden near the end of the nineteenth century.
Q) What is the most rewarding thing about your job?
A) Treating people who are there due to word of mouth.
Contact Elite Sports Injury Physiotherapy Clinics in Winnipeg
Live near Winnipeg? Looking for a physiotherapy clinic? If so, contact Elite Sports Injury Physiotherapy Clinics in Winnipeg.
What question would you love to ask a physiotherapist? Leave it in the “reply” section below.