Rehabilitative Health: Myths and Misconceptions

By: Megan MacNeil

Photo by Ryutaro Tsukata

At Beech Street Health Centre, our goal is to provide the best preventative and rehabilitative health care. But what is rehabilitative health care? Rehabilitative health care is a crucial part of health care that encompasses the promotion of health, disease prevention, treatment and more. This form of health care can help people of all ages, from infancy to old age. The primary purpose of rehabilitative health care, like all health care, is the improve the lives and health of the individual.

Rehabilitative health care workers can come from a broad spectrum of careers and backgrounds. Health care workers that may be involved in the practice of rehabilitative health could be occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, audiologists, doctors, nurses, or some of our own at our clinic, physiotherapists, osteopaths, and massage therapists. Just like anything else, there are lots of myths and misconceptions about rehabilitative health. We will look at these common misconceptions and debunk them for good.

Myth: Rehabilitative care will prevent me from doing the things I enjoy

Fact: Health practitioners are aware that doing activities you enjoy, such as sports or walking, has many benefits to your physical and mental health. Practitioners’ main priority is to get you back to your best and healthiest self. Practitioners will find a way to treat and fix the issue while maintaining full or working towards getting you back to your everyday activities or hobbies.

Myth: Rehabilitative health doesn’t work

Fact: Rehabilitative health can help. Like anything else, you have to find what works for you. Still, many studies are showing that physical therapy and rehabilitative health can benefit the body. For pain management, rehabilitative treatment has positively impacted improving one’s pain management and strength. Rehabilitation can also improve one’s immunity and reduce the likelihood of injury.

Myth: Rehabilitative health only works if you have an injury

Fact: Although rehabilitative health is helpful for individuals with injures to ensure that the body regains its normal mobility and function, it can be just as beneficial for chronic stiffness, pain, or discomfort. Suppose your body has any discomfort, minor aches and pains, mobility issues, alignment, and more. Rehabilitative health is especially beneficial for the prevention of injury and to mitigate aches and pains.

Myth: All Physical Therapists are the same

Fact: Every practitioner that practices rehabilitative health care, even if they specialize in the same type of physical therapy, all have their style of treatment. Practitioners come from different backgrounds, education, training, and experiences; with similar training and education, they will use the tools they were taught and go down their path. Some practitioners will use a softer form of practice. In contrast, others are more physical, some use more different techniques than others, and some have certain specialties. Each practitioner and therapists have their unique way of providing rehabilitative treatment and care for their patients. All you have to do is find out if their treatment style is right for you and your body.

If you have any questions feel free to contact us through our contact form, phone (902)406 7200 or book an appointment online.