08/09/2025
๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐ง๐.
On World Physical Therapy Day, this mantra is embodied not only in the celebration of those who practice the profession but also in campaigning for those in need of it. 2025 especially spotlights healthy aging, along with supporting frailty and preventing falls.
Aging is a multifaceted sum of the normal decline in organ systems, changes according to lifestyle factors, and complexity of health risk factors. While teams of health care practitioners first seek to deter disease instead of merely managing its symptoms, the geriatric population must face frailty whether or not chronic conditions are present.
The role of the Physical Therapist (PT), then, is to address both the physical condition and functional limitations of a patient, such that he or she can still participate in daily activities with the greatest possible level of independence.
Be it spending time with their grandchildren, moving from room to room, or performing the hobbies they have always loved, key components to any activity include balance, strength, and flexibility.
PTs tailor their exercise plan to those needs, and in so doing, reduce the risk of losing balance that would otherwise result in injuries such as broken bones or twisted ligaments. They also educate on environmental modifications and proper body mechanics that bring safety to the forefront.
With the advancements in health care, socioeconomic standards, and education leading to the projected transition into an aging society by 2030, PTs are crucial in the lives of patients and their caregivers.
Happy World Physical Therapy Day!
Words by Eunice Joyce Wong
Artwork by Mikaela Alacrito
