Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association

Congratulations to NSPA member David Kachan for winning the 2020 Canadian Physiotherapy Association Mentorship Award! - The purpose of the Mentorship Award is to recognize physiotherapists who, through their inspiration and support, provide exceptional mentorship of other physiotherapy professionals and act as role models for professionalism and volunteerism. Way to go!

Check out this link to learn more about this project and how the benefits of exercise can help those who are battling cancer.

The Atlantic Tennis Centre hosted it’s grand opening on Monday showing off the new facility. There are 12 outdoor courts and 6 indoor courts that are even lined for pickleball. Also, the building is fully accessible and there is weekly wheelchair tennis programming! (WWW.THECHRONICLEHERALD.CA//NEW-BEDFORD-TENNIS-FACILITY-B/) There is also discussion around expanding and helping small, locally developed COVID-19 friendly projects that could have a big impact in dealing with... some of the negative consequences of the pandemic. Projects like pop-up bike lanes, more welcoming outdoor spaces, public WiFi and better apps for local services." Lastly, if you haven't heard of wheelchair tennis you need to check it out! Played in wheelchairs, the game is same except with two bounces allowed. Play singles, doubles in a manual or power chair. This game is for grassroots friendly play, or high performance at the Paralympic level. For more information on the Parasport community and their athletes/programming visit: https://parasportns.com/

As physiotherapists, we regularly use our skills and expertise to help clients recover from injuries, better manage complex medical conditions, and prevent functional decline. Physical activity and exercise prescription are often key components of physiotherapy treatment plans. As highly trained rehabilitation professionals, we play a vital role in prevention through physical activity counselling and implementing a biopsychosocial model of care. The need for this kind of proa...ctive intervention has come to the forefront during the COVID19 pandemic. Physiotherapists are uniquely positioned to consider the physical abilities of our population to provide appropriate and safe guidance regarding initiation of or return to new physical activities. Virtual care allows a direct line of contact between Nova Scotians and physiotherapists for guidance of physical activity in both individual and group settings. (Laura Lundquist and Jessica Bergevin, NSPA Advocacy Committee) Check out this great video by NSPA member Kelly Whitman (who is also a wellness facilitator with Nova Scotia Health) talk about the variety of free, online programs provided to help you incorporate physical activity into your routine! https://globalnews.ca//staying-physically-active-during-co To find programs that interest you visit www.HealthyNovaScotia.ca to see a full list of the online wellness sessions available this fall and to register online.

The regulated profession of physiotherapy in Canada developed in part from the large number of injured soldiers returning from the wars of the 20th century. Today marks a day of remembrance for all of the Canadians who have served throughout our nation’s history and continue to serve. On behalf of the NSPA we are grateful and deeply humbled for your service to our country. #lestweforget ---... Image Source: The watercolor painting Physical Therapy at Bath War Hospital (Fig. 1), by the artist Sarah Elizabeth Roberts Horton (E. Horton), depicts one of the very first physiotherapy departments in England.*Physical Therapy at Bath War Hospital. Watercolor by E.Horton, ca.1918. Wellcome Trust Library (https://www.jhrehab.org//physical-therapy-at-bath-war-hos/) See more

During these past few months CPA and NSPA have been working hard to support their members. The CPA/NSPA was, and continues to be, committed to supporting physiotherapists, patients, and public health efforts, as well as providing reliable information to support sound decision-making. To read more about the CPA and NSPA’s advocacy efforts and why you should join/renew your membership visit the following links: https://physiotherapy.ca/advocacy#advocacy https://physiotherapy.c...a/covid-19 http://www.physiotherapyns.ca/covid-19 https://physiotherapy.ca/member-benefits Together we are strong!

The Canadian Physiotherapy Association is a national community of the most dedicated physiotherapy professionals in Canada. Whether you are a practitioner, business owner, researcher, educator, administrator, or student, a CPA membership provides exclusive access to networks, resources, and best practices to help you achieve your professional goals. As a member you get access to: + Advocacy... + Insurance + Practice Resources + Professional Development + Branches/Divisions + Assemblies + Member Savings + Business Solutions For more information visit: https://physiotherapy.ca/member-benefits For membership COVID-19 Relief Package details visit: https://physiotherapy.ca/cpa-member-relief-package-2020-rul

In the fall of 2019, the NSPA circulated a survey to ask our members what topics were most important to them and where they would like us to dedicate our advocacy efforts. As part of our strategic plan (2018-2023), our goals are to advocate for improving Access, Excellence, Capacity and Value. Of particular interest to physiotherapists across Nova Scotia, since the inception of this plan, is to promote/facilitate access to physiotherapy services to read more click here: http://www.physiotherapyns.ca/advocacy

Check out this great post from the Australian Physiotherapy Association! Reducing screen time and sitting down for long periods has a big impact on our health and is associated with an increased risk of various diseases. Lacking inspiration? Check out this website with some great tips on how to get started: https://www.makehealthynormal.nsw.gov.au//screen-time-adul... Nervous to move? Find a local physiotherapist who can help teach you how to get back to activity safely: http://www.physiotherapyns.ca/find-a-physio/advanced And don’t forget to follow our local COVID-19 restrictions while you get moving!

Did you know that physiotherapists are self-regulated, first contact, primary health care professionals? They have established roles within the community and practice in a variety of health care settings including private clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, community centres, in homes, and through community outreach teams. A physiotherapist’s role includes the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic conditions, education in disease self-management, and participa...tion in health promotion and injury prevention initiatives. You can also find physios working in academic settings, research and health care policy development. For more information on what physiotherapists do click here: http://www.physiotherapyns.ca//ca/what_physiotherapists_do Click here to find a local physiotherapist near you: http://www.physiotherapyns.ca/find-a-physio/advanced

Becoming a CPA member or renewing your membership is more important than ever! CPA knows this has been a challenging year and is offering big discounts among many other benefits. Supporting the CPA helps to ensure the future of our profession and not to mention it comes with some nice perks! Check out all the great benefits to being a CPA Member here: https://physiotherapy.ca/member-benefits For more information on the CPA Membership Relief Package click here: https://physiotherapy.ca/cpa-member-relief-package-2020

Did you know that more than 1 in 3 elderly Canadians (ages 65 and older) fall each year? It is estimated that falls and fall-related injuries cost the Canadian health care system approximately $2.8 billion a year. The cost of treating a fall is 1.85 times higher than implementing a falls prevention program. If you or a loved one are worried about falling, consider reaching out to your local physiotherapist!... A physiotherapist can help with: + Improving balance and strength through giving a safe home exercise program + Education on how to reduce risk of falling + Designing an activity program to suit a patients needs + Advice on how to make their home safer +Teaching them safe ways to get up if they do have a fall +Showing them how to keep active +Getting involved in a community-based exercise programs Visit http://www.physiotherapyns.ca/find-a-physio/advanced to find a physiotherapist near you! Visit https://physiocanhelp.ca//preventing-falls-physiotherapis/ for more tips on fall prevention!

As a recent graduate and new employee of the Nova Scotia Health Authority, it was a nerve-wracking experience being re-deployed to a new hospital, to help with the Covid-19 efforts. I was quickly oriented to the hospital and to its Covid-19 designated units. I attended several information sessions about the virus and how the hospital was making changes to prepare for an outbreak. - In preparation for treating Covid-19 positive patients, our physiotherapy team watched several... online learning modules to refresh our skills with mobilization of patients on ventilators, and strict guidelines for aerosol generating procedures. Our rehabilitation team became extremely cautious with donning and doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE), as a result our team has grown very close during these intense times, as we became each other’s protectors. - Although this has been an incredibly stressful time for health care workers, it has no doubt made us a stronger physiotherapy team moving forward. - Click here to read more about Shannon MacDonald’s COVID-19 experience: http://www.physiotherapyns.ca/advocacy See more

Annapolis Valley Physiotherapists, NSPA members, and clinic owners Daphne London (Kingston) and Julie Skaling (Kentville) were just a couple of examples of the Nova Scotia physiotherapists who stayed open for emergency cases during the early days of the Covid-19 shutdown. - In order to do that, they worked hard to make it as safe as possible. They geared up with PPE, put in protocols in agreement with the provincial and college guidelines, pre-screened their clients, and imp...lemented advanced cleaning procedures all to continue to service the Valley residents who really needed it. On top of that, they offered virtual physiotherapy for the non-emergency cases! - This was important as some of these individuals may have ended up in emergency rooms otherwise to treat their acute pain with no other options. It is a great demonstration of how physiotherapists are primary health care professionals who can help to alleviate our public health care system and reduce the number of ER visits and/or doctor visits by accurately assessing and treating those in pain. - Great job you two! ---------------------------------------------------------- Do you know a NSPA member that deserves to be recognized for their contributions to the profession? Let us know! To find a local physiotherapist near you visit physiotherapyns.ca/find-a-physio

Physiotherapists are direct-access practitioners, meaning patients can visit physiotherapists directly (self-referral) without waiting for a physician referral. Physiotherapy self-referral benefits both patients and the health-care system! Patient benefits include: Better outcomes (e.g. pain) for the patient Increased likelihood that patients will achieve their treatment goals... Self-referred patients miss less work Self-referred patients also use less prescription drugs and have fewer x-rays and require fewer visits to their physician Reduced volume of referrals to specialists Overall health-care costs for self-referred patients are lower You can also find physiotherapists in a variety of health care settings including private clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, community centres, in homes, universities, research groups, and community outreach teams. To find a local physiotherapist to help get you back to doing the things you love visit: http://www.physiotherapyns.ca/find-a-physio/advanced To read more about what physiotherapists do visit: http://www.physiotherapyns.ca//ca/what_physiotherapists_do

Did you know that physiotherapists provide primary health care? This means that we diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions within our scope of practice, manage patients with chronic disease, provide education in disease self-management, participate in health promotion and injury prevention initiatives, and much more. We also collaborate with other health care professionals to set and achieve identified treatment goals for patients. We have positive impacts on quality ...of life and care cost-effectiveness by: + Providing early assessment and intervention + Improving exercise tolerance and helping maintain or restore optimal function + Assisting in the prevention and treatment of pain + Promoting fitness, health, and wellness + Improving client satisfaction in care, including education and guidance on maintenance or improvement in overall function Physiotherapists keep Nova Scotians moving!! Read more about our role as primary health care providers here: https://physiotherapy.ca//posit/primary-health-care_en.pdf To find a local physiotherapist to help get you back to doing the things you love visit: http://www.physiotherapyns.ca/find-a-physio/advanced

Did you know that while many health plans allow employees to access and claim physiotherapy services directly, without needing a doctor’s referral, there are still a number of plans that require a physician referral? - The NSPA understands that the lack of direct access in some plans is an issue important to both members and the public. We have been advocating for the removal of this barrier to care since 2018, working with MLAs, public servants, Doctors Nova Scotia, and the... CPA. We have achieved some important victories, including a letter of endorsement from Doctors Nova Scotia supporting our position. - Currently, we are working with CPA to advocate for the permanent removal of the need for physician referral from the Public Services Health Care Plan, the largest health plan in the country, which is administered by SunLife. The pandemic led to the temporary removal of this costly barrier to care, but CPA and NSPA are working hard to convince the Treasury Board that making the change permanent is in everyone’s best interest. - Click here (http://www.physiotherapyns.ca/advocacy) to learn more about how your NSPA is advocating for direct access. See more

The CPA recognizes that students and new grads are a vital part of our membership. Not only do they represent the future of the profession, but they represent future Board members, volunteers, Division Chairs, researchers, and visionaries, setting the direction for the profession of the future. Due to the postponement/cancellation of scheduled Physiotherapy Competency Exams, the CPA and the Branches will be extending complimentary student membership for the upcoming membershi...p year (October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021) for students who have graduated in 2019 or 2020 but who have not had access to competency exams. There are also changes to the professional liability insurance! This will ensure that graduating student members are still able access the benefits of a CPA membership until they are able to practise, Click here to read more: https://physiotherapy.ca/cpa-statement-student-and-new-grad Click here to read about all the benefits of being a CPA member: https://physiotherapy.ca/member-benefits

Did you know that you can advertise both your job postings and professional development courses through NSPA? - When you post on NSPA’s Job and Course Board, you are instantly reaching our 740 members across the province! - For jobs postings, we make finding the perfect employee easy! Simply purchase a 4-week or 8-week posting and let NSPA get the word out. Your listing will appear on our Job Board as well as in our careers e-blast that goes out regularly to all members via ...email. For courses, NSPA members and non-profit organizations based in Atlantic Canada can post their course for FREE if they are organizing or delivering the course. Each posting includes a detailed listing on our website (for a maximum of 3 months) as well as inclusion in the Course Calendar e-newsletter sent out to NSPA membership. For more details visit: http://www.physiotherapyns.ca/for-physios/advertise-with-us.