By APRILLE JANES
Special to The Toronto Sun


I prefer 'hands-on' and I liked the holistic approach that I found in physiotherapy. Other professions in similar fields seemed too invasive. I didn't want to be prescribing medications. I prefer the wellness approach."

Victoria Szwajcer, B.Sc., P.T., echoes the sentiments of many physiotherapists in Canada. Physiotherapy is a branch of health care that strives to improve health without the use of drugs or surgery.

Working out of Riverdale Hospital, Szwajcer provides assistance to patients who have suffered brain injuries, strokes and spinal cord problems. A large part of her job involves re-training muscles and getting people moving again.

"The best days are when patients come back to say hi and show off how they're doing."

Impact assessment and treatment of injuries, program planning and education, evaluation of work, sports preparation and individualized treatment of disabilities are just some of the ways physiotherapists help the people in their communities. And they are not only found in hospitals and clinics.

"There are a lot of options in this field plus physiotherapists can choose to work evenings, part-time, full-time or provide home care. And there are so many areas to go into -- prevention, wellness, lifestyle and treatment," Szwajcer points out.

Working with industry, physiotherapists perform evaluations on workplace safety and ergonomics. They assess job-related physical needs and offer pre-work screening. Preventing accidents and helping workers recover their productivity when they do occur provides a valuable service both to the employer and employee.

Love sports? You'll find many physiotherapists working in this area, and they do much more than simply aid athletes recovering from injuries. A therapist may find themselves doing strength and endurance evaluations, or helping with conditioning, fitness programs and education, among other things.

If research captures your interest, you'll find physiotherapists here as well, developing and applying new techniques and technologies as well as assessing existing products.

And don't forget private practice. Physiotherapists who choose this route provide all the services mentioned above such as rehabilitation and evaluation, and may also offer wellness clinics and lifestyle guidance.

Like all health professionals, physiotherapists undergo extensive training and licensing. The minimum requirement for practicing physiotherapy is a bachelor's degree. Thirteen universities across Canada currently offer programs. The studies range from anatomy and physiology to professional issues, and include actual clinical practice.

In addition, many students go on to take graduate studies and may specialize in fields such as acupuncture, neurosciences, pediatrics, sports, women's health and many more. The options are as varied as society itself.

All practitioners require a license from the College of Physiotherapists, and in six provinces a competency exam is required as well. Most therapists join the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA), which outlines a Code of Ethics, helps determine qualifications and sets professional standards.

This field is one of the fastest growing health professions in Canada today. The current demand in some areas of the country cannot be met, so employment prospects are excellent. And current trends show a good future for this career. Aging baby boomers, more sedentary lifestyles and longer life spans all indicate a growing need for competent physiotherapists.

April 22 to May 21 means two things here in Canada, National Physiotherapy Month and the start of spring. For the past two years, the CPA has focused on easing us back into gardening season and avoiding injury. "Safely Spring Into Action" is a program emphasizing preparation and prevention:

Begin with a warm-up

Be aware of your posture and body mechanics

Use ergonomically correct tools

Pace yourself

If you'd like to find out more about this career in the field of health services and the Spring Into Action program, check out the CPA's Web site at www.physiotherapy.ca.