10 reasons to love Physiotherapy

In the dark and cold of winter, when a desk job can seem more appealing than a soggy, smelly stable, I came across an article titled '10 things to love about physiotherapy'. It brightened me so much that I wanted to share it with you: http://criticalphysio.net/2017/01/18/10-reasons-to-love-physiotherapy/

So many of the points relate directly to my work with horses. 

Physiotherapists:

Touch people.  Very few people can do this, and almost no others get to touch people for therapeutic reasons.  Some touch to perform a procedure, others to care, but few touch to reduce pain, help move or build strength, flexibility and power. The best part of my job is being so close to horses all day every day! Actually, thinking about it, that's just one of the many best bits of my job.... Read on!

Transform people’s lives.  Perhaps the most powerful effect of really great physiotherapy is its ability to help people feel different: to give them confidence to try something that’s been too painful or frightening to do for a long time; to take control of their lives; to breathe more easily; to stand on their own again; to move more freely; to be happier…Physiotherapists do this every day, and rarely give themselves the credit they deserve for their transformative power. This is something that applies to anyone who works to help owners with their horses I think. We put so much time, effort and money into owning a horse, that when we can't follow our dreams it can be heartbreaking. Being a part of resolving the problems truly can transform people's lives - loading a 'non-loader' is probably near the top of the list!

Are first contact professionals.  Few others, outside medicine, have this privilege.  Awarded after many years of struggle and tests of our autonomy, first-contact status isn’t available throughout the world for physiotherapists, but it’s available in many countries.  It’s a mark of our social capital and the high regard physiotherapists are held in by society at large. This is an interesting one, because as yet Physiotherapists have not achieved autonomy in the animal world. This is partially due to the lack of protection of title, meaning that there is a wide variety of level of qualification of animal physiotherapist. This can lead to a mistrust from vets and confusion amongst owners. The recent emergence of the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Therapists (www.rampregister.org) will hopefully begin to address this over time to a degree. You can find your local Chartered Physiotherapist at www.acpat.co.uk.

Are diagnosticians.  Because many physios can see people without a medical referral, they need to be able to differentially diagnose.  That skill comes with a lot of expectations about physiotherapists’ safety, and ability to show consistently that they can handle the responsibility. The same applies with diagnostics as with autonomy, as discussed above. At present the law states that only a vet can diagnose in relation to an animal.

Are safe and trusted.  People trust physiotherapists.  We deal with some of the most intimate, personal aspects of people’s lives – from death and dying, to personal bodily dysfunction and the heartache of suffering, and act as a constant companion in times of strife. I'd love to think this was true, and certainly I think that a good therapist builds a bond with their clients, animal and human. The lack of protection of title issue again can lead to confusion here though, and more than once I've been called out as a behaviourist to an animal that has supposedly been given the all clear by 'the physio' only to find considerable discomfort causing the behaviour. Perhaps that discomfort wasn't presenting on the day the horse was previously assessed, but if the behaviour has stayed the same and the history suggests that the behaviour is linked to the particular pattern of pain, then I'll leave you to your own thoughts.

Are powerful advocates.  Because physiotherapists have earned a high degree of social support, they can speak up for those less fortunate, and advocate for people whose voices are not being heard.  Marginalised communities, children, the elderly, disabled people…whomever they serve, countless people benefit from physiotherapists’ voice and support. This is what drove me to write Brain, Pain or Training, the central theme of which is 'horses can only demonstrate pain or discomfort through their behaviour or performance'. To me, being a horse physio is ALL about being an advocate for the horse.

Are experienced.  One of the greatest assets physiotherapists have is their access to the public health system.  Working with people who have had strokes, or live with COPD, chronic low back pain or depression helps when it comes to treating the elite athlete, the child with cerebral palsy or the post-op patient.  Experiencing the rich tapestry of life gives physiotherapists enormous advantages over many other healthcare professions. To qualify as a Chartered Physiotherapist took me 7 years. You can qualify through different routes as an animal physio or veterinary physio in just a few weeks or months, but the Chartered status means that I qualified to treat humans and then studied further to qualify to treat animals. I work full time treating horses. There is always more to learn and I never, ever feel as though I know enough, but yes, I have a great deal more experience in assessing and treating a horse as a physio than the average horse owner or instructor.

Work with people, not just bodies.  All good physiotherapists know that it’s not enough to treat the body-as-machine, or to look no further than anatomy, physiology and pathology when treating people.  To know people as social beings and the ways that our feelings, thoughts and emotions affect how we feel makes the difference between being technicians and practitioners.  And physiotherapists are fabulous practitioners. This was my reason for becoming a physiotherapist rather than a doctor or a vet. I like working with the 'whole', and in particular I like working with the horse and owner as a partnership. Improving or developing a partnership is what gives me job satisfaction.

Are inclusive.  Physiotherapists have worked in teams and been dependent on the help of others from the outset.  They are good at knowing their limits and not stepping on others’ toes.  They’re often seen as pragmatic, enthusiastic and motivated people who like to get things done.  As they have shown for many years that we make great allies. One of the things I strive towards always is knowing my own limits and referring on appropriately. I'm lucky in that I've developed a wide range of knowledge over the years, and I worked very hard to provide an exceptional range of 'allies' in the 27 guest contributors to my book and DVD 'Brain, Pain or Training' (http://www.thehorsephysio.co.uk/store/index.php?product/page/3183/Brain%2C+Pain%2C+or+Training+-++Book+and+DVD).

Are adaptable.  No matter how difficult things seem right now, people will always want someone to use their hands in skillful, caring ways to heal them of their suffering; they will always want people who can see them move and work out what is going wrong; and they will always call for professionals they can trust, who care for them, not just their illness. Working with horses always requires adaptability. Whether it's adapting to working in the stable or on the yard depending on where the horse is most relaxed, or adapting your techniques to suit the individual behaviour of the horse, or adapting your advice towards the happy hacker or the professional, being an equine physio is about constantly adapting to offer the best you can to both horse and owner.