Preventative Medicine: Annual Physiotherapy Assessments

Within the developed nations of the world, and on the topic of progress, Canada seems to always maintain the status of happy-mediocrity: Occasionally leading the pack, occasionally trailing behind, but most often hanging out, comfy-right-dab-smack in the middle!  On the topic of primary disease prevention, Canada is currently in a state of ‘comfy’.

As with most pre-cursers to change, money (or the lack-thereof) has Canadian Health Policy makers starting to brain-storm.  We all know that with the baby-boomer population reaching more advanced ages, healthcare costs are on the rise… and frankly there will just not be enough finances to adequately fund health care.  In fact, as of 2011, seniors over the age of 65 represented just 14% of the population but were using 40% of hospital services in Canada, AND accounted for about 45% of all provincial and territorial government health spending (Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) – Health Care in Canada, 2011: A Focus on Seniors and Aging).  The question is, what can be done?  I’m a physiotherapist, and obviously physical health and wellness is my niche.  Here is my take.

I’d like to start with the idea that ‘for human-beings, the expression of life is movement’.   Another way to look at this idea would be to understand that movement is how all living-beings interact with their own environment.  For example: #1) The small muscles that allow us to move our eyes, allow us to see the environment around us.  #2) The muscles of our hand allow us to handle and manipulate objects, show affection, build a home, or a cook meal.  Therefore, if you cannot move well, your physical, emotional, and mental health will suffer.  The conclusion should be that being able to move well is in many ways like a medicine – it can create positive changes in our health.

Unfortunately, day-to-day life can catch up to us as we age, and as a result we have a tendency to develop stiffness, pain, and become de-conditioned. These small problems often start to develop into larger and noticeable movement dysfunctions, changing the way that you move, and changing your focus from enjoying life to fixing the indicator of physical dysfunction – pain.  If normal movement cannot occur, the human body adapts to these changes; Our vascular health deteriorates (heart, lungs, brain), we do not excrete as many toxins (leading to increased prevalence of cancers), our bone density decreases (leading to osteoporosis and arthritis), etc., etc.. The bottom line is that if we don’t move as much as we should, our internal health seriously deteriorates.

The answer to better health (either primary, secondary or tertiary prevention of diseases/disorders) must be an interdisciplinary approach.  Family Physicians, Optometrists, Dentists, and specialized health practitioners advise their patients that routine check-ups are preventative in nature, and may help to ensure optimal health.  While their services may be essential, many health concerns still go unrecognized, unaddressed, untreated, or do not received adequate follow-up. The American Physical Therapy Association’s House of Delegates has a position statement on annual check-ups expressing “All individuals should visit a physical therapist at least annually to promote optimal health, wellness, and fitness, as well as to slow the progression of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities”.   While the Canadian Physiotherapy Association does not yet have a position statement on this matter they have agreed to bring the matter to the CEO’s attention who will relay the idea to the Board of Directors.

My opinion on the matter is this: (1) Physiotherapists have superior knowledge of anatomy, physical function and dysfunction, treating holistically, and also treating very specifically. (2) Physiotherapists develop more meaningful relationships with their patients than many other health professionals due to the additional time spent with their patients. This should allow for greater insight into current impairments and lead to a more timely physical diagnosis which can help correct current dysfunctions, decrease the negative effects of a current diagnosis, and/or prevent future dysfunction from occurring. (3) This means added time at a lower cost, which provides greater value for the patient: More time for assessment, treatment, and follow-up. (4) Physiotherapy has can reduce risk factors and/or treat the most common co-morbidities in Canada (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, obesity, chronic disease). (5) Patients can benefit from physiotherapy at any age in terms of development, health promotion and wellness, maintenance of health, and disease prevention. (6) Patients who are provided with consistent and competent medical attention decrease or delay future health problem severity, maintain their quality of life for longer, and decrease the future financial burden on the public healthcare system.

93 year-old retired Dentist, Charles Eugster, dabbles in bodybuilding and rowing.

So what is the drawback? Here are a select few:

(1) This service is currently advertised by a minority of physiotherapists in Canada – The general public does not even know this is an option!

(2) Even if the general public had awareness, the expectations of the 21st century seem that if something is hard to achieve or attain, its not worth the initial effort.

(3) Only a minority of people in Canada have benefit coverage for physiotherapy, and private physiotherapy services cost money.  How many people in Canada are actually willing to pay out-of-pocket to help themselves when they are not in acute pain? The funding needs to be driven provincially/federally, or through private insurance.

Suggestions for physiotherapists: Create a sample assessment of what should be included in an Annual Physiotherapy Assessment. Include a full body screen – put your neuro, cardioresp, AND MSK skills to use.  Start advertising it and explain the benefits!  Lobby your local physiotherapy association to increase interest in the matter!

Suggestions for other readers: Find a therapist that specializes in Annual Physiotherapy Assessments and preventative health.  Get an assessment and live a healthier life!  If you found your assessment helpful, spread the news to your significant others!