World PT Day is on Sunday the 8th of September, are you ready?
World PT day gives us all the opportunity to showcase what our profession is all about – movement is medicine. This years themes is chronic pain, a significant burden on global health and something which we know exercise and activity is key to overcoming. This puts our profession as best placed to help those with living with chronic pain and the 8th of September is our opportunity to showcase this to the world.
If you are wondering how you can take part in world PT day but don’t know how or you are worried about holding a grandiose event then have no fear! Something as simple as a tweet is more than enough and often as engaging as an event. Either way the WCPT has a toolkit to help make your contribution meaningful. The toolkit includes banners, posters, social media images, infographics and plety more resources to help you make a difference.
Of course Physiopedia has plenty of resources for you to use on the 8th to help educate patients and colleagues alike. Let’s not forget the day also provides an opportunity for us all to make sure we are up to date with the latest evidence for how to best manage chronic pain across our different specialities. It isn’t just about back pain and examples of PPs best pages on chronic pain are linked to at the bottom of this page.
Why Does World Physical Therapy Day Matter?
In 1996, WCPT designated 8th September as World Physical Therapy Day. This is the date WCPT was founded in 1951.
The day marks the unity and solidarity of the global physical therapy community. It is an opportunity to recognise the work that physical therapists do for their patients and community. Using World Physical Therapy Day as a focus, WCPT aims to support member organisations in their efforts to promote the profession and advance their expertise.
Reports from around the world indicate that World Physical Therapy Day activities have a positive impact on the profession’s profile and standing with both the public and policy makers.
Many WCPT member organisations already have their own national physical therapy days, weeks and months. However, organisations that have no designated day of their own often choose 8th September.
It is up to individual physical therapists and WCPT member organisations to decide what activities and materials they wish to develop. That way, they can reflect key national priorities and messages. But each year WCPT provides ideas, publicity and support materials.