Physiotherapist Rachel Wu
Each month, a different physiotherapist is featured on the Elite Sports Injury Physiotherapy Clinic blog. All physiotherapists are part of the Elite team, and each brings something different to the table. We love giving our readers the opportunity to get to know these physiotherapists better and have a greater understanding of what PTs do and how they can benefit patients of all kinds.
Last month, physiotherapist Trevor Horvath told us what he has learned in his 25 years as a PT — read his interview here. This month, we are proud to feature Rachel Wu, BMR-PT and co-owner of Elite Sports Injury Physiotherapy Clinics (St. James location), one of the pillars of the Elite team.
Interview with Rachel Wu, Elite Sports Injury Clinic Physiotherapist
Q: What type of patient do you work best with? (For example, do you work well with stubborn, never-give-up types, or are you great at motivating timid individuals who need confidence?)
A: I love working with all types of people and personalities; it’s one of the perks of being a Physiotherapist! But the people who ask me lots of questions, engaging in their care, make me a better caregiver and communicator during treatment.
Q: Was physiotherapy your first career choice? If so, when did you know it was for you? If not, how did you decide to pursue it?
A: I knew I wanted to be a physio when I was in grade 9, and my mind never changed! I took a survey based on my interests and that was what popped up. Throughout the rest of high school, I had several encounters with physiotherapy treatment, and knew that physiotherapy was the perfect career for me.
Q: What do you want the general public to know about physiotherapy?
A: I would want everyone to know that physiotherapists are not just good for treating athletic injuries, but also for day-to-day pains and issues people of all ages and activity levels experience. Muscle and joint pain isn’t necessarily normal, and we can help get you moving better and back to your loved activities.
Q: What type of person with what condition would you say needs physiotherapy the most but is the least likely to seek it out?
A: That’s a tough question! I would say that people generally do not come for preventative physiotherapy. Having an assessment completed to find areas of weakness or lack of flexibility could help in minimizing injury risk.
Q: Within the field of physiotherapy, what is your specialty?
A: We aren’t given specialty titles, but working in private practice gives me a lot of experience in orthopedics and musculoskeletal injuries.
Q: How do your colleagues help you in your practice?
A: One of the reasons I came to Elite was to work with other physiotherapists. We are always pushing one another to be the best therapists we can be. They are available for consultations, practice, and study groups, and that makes a big difference! I’m so lucky to be surrounded by awesome colleagues.
Would you like to work with a physiotherapist as caring and knowledgeable as Rachel? If you live near Winnipeg, contact Elite Sports Injury Physiotherapy Clinic.