As well as being the main source of financial security for most people, working can be linked to good mental and physical health, and physiotherapy can help you maintain this.
Now that there is no set retirement age, and with people needing to wait longer to receive their state pension, most of us can expect to have longer working lives.
Many of us will welcome being able to work longer, but it will mean better managing our health over our whole working lives.
Physiotherapy keeps people fit for work
Physiotherapists take a ‘whole person’ approach. The way in which you spend your working time is taken into consideration as part of a physiotherapy assessment. Physiotherapy can help you to remain at, or return to work.
Within the workplace, specialist occupational health physiotherapists provide further expertise such as ergonomic and workplace assessments.
These enable employers to work with you to prevent sickness absence or to enable you to make an effective return to work after a period of illness or injury.
Physiotherapy reduces time taken off work
Physiotherapists are well-placed to support you to prevent health problems such as back or neck pain, and to remain in work or return to work following illness or an injury, or after an operation.
They can also support you to manage a long-term condition.
All physiotherapists promote workplace health and as well as advising on work, they are skilled in providing the right advice to help you engage with activities that might you help you, like physical exercise.
It is proven that early access to physiotherapy reduces the time employees take off work.
How do I access physiotherapy?
You may be referred to a physiotherapist by your GP, however in many areas patients are able to refer themselves for physiotherapy. There may even be a physiotherapist working in your GP's surgery.
Ask your employer if you have an occupational health service at work or a private health insurance provider. They may be able to offer physiotherapy.
