Happy World Physiotherapy Day 2024!

Today, we celebrate the critical role physiotherapy plays in managing and preventing one of the most common yet misunderstood conditions: low back pain.

As we commemorate this day, it's important to highlight the insights from the Ghana Physiotherapy Association’s public lecture, where the focus was on “Hope Beyond Fear: The Experience and Treatment of Low Back Pain in Ghana.”

Let’s talk about Amina, a beloved market woman and queen of “foos” (second-hand clothes). Amina’s back pain was so bad that even standing up straight became an Olympic event. She tried everything—hard mattresses, magical ointments from her neighbor—but nothing worked! Eventually, Amina realized it was time to give physiotherapy a try.

Here’s what she discovered:

1. Movement is Key: Amina learned that staying active is essential. Contrary to popular belief, resting too much can make back pain worse. Evidence shows that exercise is one of the best treatments for low back pain. Physiotherapists guide patients through specific exercises to improve mobility and strengthen the back. (World Physio Toolkit, 2024)
2. It’s Not About “Fixing” Something Out of Place: Amina thought her back pain meant something was out of place and needed to be "pushed" back in. But Josephine Ahenkorah Ampiah debunked this myth during the lecture. Most low back pain isn’t caused by structural issues but rather by non-specific pain that can be managed through education, proper posture, and physiotherapy. (World Physio, 2024)
3. Chronic Doesn’t Mean Hopeless: While chronic low back pain can be frightening, it’s rarely dangerous. With the right physiotherapy approach—including manual therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exercise—most patients, like Amina, find long-term relief. Research shows that 90% of low back pain cases can be managed without surgery! (WHO Guidelines, 2023)

Amina’s story reminds us that physiotherapy isn’t just about addressing pain; it’s about giving people their lives back. Whether you’re dealing with mild discomfort or severe chronic pain, physiotherapy offers hope beyond fear.

If you’re dealing with low back pain like Amina, don’t wait! Book a consultation with a certified physiotherapist today and start your journey to recovery.

Share your experiences or questions about low back pain below—together, let’s make low back pain a thing of the past!

#WorldPTDay #LowBackPain #PhysiotherapyWorks #MoveBetter #PainRelief #HopeBeyondFear