Rehabilitation Post Unexpected Events

White Island eruption, earthquakes on a regular basis, Covid, Cyclone Gabrielle, all demonstrate New Zealand is an unstable country sometimes resulting in personal and structural damage.

Physiotherapists as experts in rehabilitation know the principles on how to maximise recovery.

Reassurance is foremost.  90% of patients want reassure at their first visit.  New Zealanders need this now.

Honesty, in other words what is the prognosis and how long will each stage take to recover?

Reinforcement of the injured persons fortitude to reach  “rehabilitation to the maximum practical level. “

Directions to the viable resources to achieve best recovery.

Certainty that others have gone before and others will follow, damage is not permanent, rehabilitation also continues.

Patience.  In medicine patience are termed patients for a reason.

These principles are just as important in major climate events as they are in personal accidents. 

Kindest,

New Zealand Physiotherapy Trust