World Physiotherapy Day takes place every year on 8 September. On this day, we celebrate the incredible work our physiotherapists do to treat, support, and manage our patients through movement. Physiotherapists provide expert care across the health continuum, from newborn to aged care, ED to community care, ICU to wellness.
This year’s theme is cardiovascular disease and stroke.
6.4% (1.3 million) Australian adults have one or more conditions related to heart, stroke or vascular disease. In 2024, coronary heart disease was found to be the leading cause of disease burden in men, and the 6th highest cause of disease burden in women. Physiotherapists play an important role in the management and prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke by:
- Identifying and managing impairments following stroke, helping patients to regain mobility and independence following a cardiac event
- Helping to manage the physical and psychological impact of cardiovascular disease through targeted exercise therapy
- Promoting lifestyle change through prescription of physical activity and education
According to some of our patients, our Northern Health Physios:
- “Are always caring, understanding, and assisted with diagrams of exercises I should do as I am forgetful”
- “Attentive, ensured I did exercises well and checked how I was feeling”
- “I never felt pushed to achieve the goals I eventually did achieve, and I am so very, very grateful and feel blessed that my physio encouraged me to keep going by keeping my appointments when I didn’t think I was even going to achieve what was set out in the beginning”
- “It’s everything that the physio department did; that was spot on, very professional, and as time went on, the more I’d advanced and became better”
Physiotherapy makes a huge difference in the lives of those living with Cardiovascular disease and Stroke.
This World Physiotherapy Day, let’s celebrate the care and expertise our dedicated physios provide for our community here at Northern Health.