I'm not your mother I'm your cheer squad

Many people come to physiotherapy or any health care provider for that matter, looking for answers and guidance. Looking to know what they can and cannot do.

They'll ask, can I lift more than 10 pounds, can I run that half marathon next weekend. I used to always want to say yes or no. But the more I learn and the more I listen, the more I realise if you really want to do something, you're going to do it anyway.

Most of my patients are adults, and they can make decisions about their own bodies. We have all been told at least once in our lives not to do something and gone ahead and done it regardless. I've had patients come to me who have been told not to run, because they leak. But running is an important part of their life. I've had patients be told not to lift or walk upstairs because of their Diastasis Recti. But they live in a two story house making it virtually impossible with a toddler and household chores to do.

My job is to find ways so you CAN do the things you want and need to do – YOU ARE NOT BROKEN.

I may ask you to change the way you do something, or I may want you to limit the amount you do of it. But if it's something you have to do, we are going to find a way around it.

We need to step away from saying “you can not do this” to “let's find a way”.

It's been a hard shift in mindset for me. I like bossing people around (ask my husband). But I am not your boss. I am here to help you recover so you can enjoy life. By taking away the things you enjoy, or the things you need to do, then I'm not doing a good job.

Clients have come in with prolapse being told they can never lift more than 10 pounds…. but when you sit to stand its more than 10 pounds of force on the pelvic floor! So in my world, you can lift weights.

I'm not your mother. I'm your cheer squad.

Physiotherapy is about making your body work better for you, making pain manageable, making movement easier and freer.

Let’s work together to “help you find a way” to do what you need to do.

Nicola Robertson

Registered Physiotherapist