City Sports + Physio Clinic has been helping Vancouverites maintain active lifestyles since 1981. They offer a full range of services that include physiotherapy, massage therapy, kinesiology and Pilates.
In 2014, around the holiday season, City Sports + Physio Clinic was looking for an organization to support and discovered CHV’s Christmas Backpack Program. For two years, City Sports + Physio Clinic would fill as many backpacks as they could. They then wondered how they could support CHV in a way that used their knowledge and skills.
They began to provide pro bono physiotherapy assessments and treatments to CHV youth who struggle with injuries and/or pain. Youth treatments consist of being educated about their condition, so that they understand what they are facing. They are provided with the tools, techniques, and exercises needed to self-manage their conditions. Youth are supported in a way that they can achieve their goals as best as possible, whether it be for work, play, or just day-to-day life.
City Sports + Physio Clinic currently have four active youth using their services and they estimate that they treat approximately 10 youth a year. Some come in for a visit or two, and some require their services for a much longer period of time.
When asked what the experience was like working with vulnerable youth, one physiotherapist said, “It’s been great. Rewarding. Being able to use the knowledge we’ve got to help people who really want and need the help is what we love about our jobs, generally. Seeing youth, who have a lot of other things going on in their lives take the time to focus on their health makes us realize that there is always time to focus on our health, even when times are tough. Watching them learn techniques and tips to manage themselves and get them independent in their self-care, while making them realize there are people out there who can and want to help them.”
Another therapist shared, “As health care professionals working in an urban downtown setting, we have the opportunity to work with a diverse patient population. A big part of our job is educating our clients over the course of treatment. But the best part of our job is having the opportunity to learn from our clients and the experiences that they share and bring to the treatment process. The youth from CHV have shown remarkable resilience in life. Life isn’t always easy, and it is inspiring to see where hard work, determination and focus can take you. The clients from CHV are always receptive to learning strategies on how to self-manage an injury and how they can take an active role in working towards their functional goals. Their appreciation for treatment received makes it a privilege to have this working relationship with CHV and the greater community of Vancouver we all call home.”
Thank you, City Sports + Physio Clinic, for being part of our Continuum of Care and a valued part of our community!
