KING Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) has been celebrating Physiotherapy Week in the hope of highlighting the vital role physiotherapists play in the recovery of patients following injury or surgery.To the layman, physiotherapy tends to conjure up images of the physical techniques that promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function and prevent disability.

But there is so much more to what the dedicated team of physiotherapists at KEMH do, as the Mid-Ocean News <$>discovered this week.

Physiotherapist and professional practice leader Angela Hayward says full and functional movement is at the heart of what it means to be healthy.

She works in the Intensive Care Unit at KEMH and sees countless patients come through the doors following road traffic accidents, including Tori Burgess, who injured her leg in a motorcycle accident two years ago.

The 20 year old’s injury never quite healed and this week she returned to hospital for surgery, followed by an intensive regime of physiotherapy at the hands of Miss Hayward.

Another patient in ICU receiving physiotherapy is Webster Mills. But his therapy takes the form of respiratory physiotherapy to help strengthen his chest and keep his lungs clear, making the simple act of breathing easier.

Miss Hayward, explaining her role, said: “We see a variety of patients in ICU, from orthopaedic and respiratory to neurological patients and surgical patients who have had internal surgery.

“And it’s up to us to encourage them to breathe deeply to keep their chests clear, to get up and move despite the pain and generally to guide them through their recovery process.”

Two floors down, amputee Noel Butterfield had just received his prosthetic leg and physiotherapist Diana Brown and physiotherapist assistant Stuart Anderson were helping him walk for the first time since May.

Assistants such as Mr. Anderson play a vital role in helping physiotherapists perform their daily duties by offering extended care to patients and are all trained in-house at the hospital.

Miss Hayward said that being a physiotherapist in any setting was all about teamwork and KEMH was no different.

There are 12 physiotherapists who address “gross motor issues” — such as walking and posture — as well as general strengthening and muscle retraining for neuromuscular and orthopaedic conditions and following surgeries.

“We treat in-patients with a variety of diagnoses, including but not limited to general surgery, orthopaedics, neurology, oncology, and psychiatry. We also treat out-patients after surgery, sports injuries, stroke, or illness and for hydrotherapy related to wound care,” she said.

Besides physiotherapists, there are also occupational therapists, who address changes in functional level regarding everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing and feeding; speech therapists who address speech, language, swallowing and cognitive problems in adults; and recreational therapists assist patients in adjusting to disabilities through leisure and community interests.

“We all work together towards the recovery of patients because we all address various facets of the patients’ recovery process,” she said.

“We recognise that we can’t treat a part of the body in isolation, but have to look at the whole physical body. If you damage your knee, then it can affect your hip.”

However, the majority of injuries Miss Hayward sees in ICU are because of road traffic accidents.

“Road traffic accidents are our biggest case-load because we see them from the in-patient side as well as the out-patient side and they can have continuing problems depending on the severity of the injury.”

In these cases physiotherapists help prevent conditions associated with loss of mobility through fitness and wellness programmes that achieve healthy and active lifestyles.

“We examine individuals and develop plans using treatment techniques that promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability,” she said.

“Listen to your body and be kind to it. By having a better awareness of your body, you will know when something is wrong.”

The hospital continues to encourage young Bermudians to consider a future in physiotherapy by offering summer work shadowing opportunities.

Physiotherapy is a hands-on, physical career in every sense and personal qualities needed for this rewarding role are tolerance, patience and compassion.

“We would love to see the schools take on board more work shadowing opportunities, but you will need to be level-headed, practical and have good communication skills,” Miss Hayward added.

Hands-on professionals