The 2024 edition of world physiotherapy day celebration was grand as professionals both clinical and the academia gathered on the 9th of September to celebrate in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Commemorating the yearly event observed on the 8th of September each year, had it’s theme for this year ” low back pain and the role of physiotherapy in it’s management and prevention”.
The event took place at the physiotherapy department seminar hall, and had physiotherapist their patients and guest gather for the events that featured sensitization lectures, free back pain diagnosis with treatment plan for those who presented for assessment. Other side attraction were presentation from partners of the department, one of which , a representative of Vitabotics, Chidi Obechukwu who gave a lecture on Osteopenia (bone density loss that comes with aging), he encouraged people to check their bone density regularly with the special bone density diagnostic machine, mainly for persons over 50 years and also women,v especially in childbearing age . Further advise is for people to indulge in physical activities and eat the right kind of foods that can strengthen the bones, take supplements that contains calcium, Vitamin D and Magnesium to make the bones stronger.
Risk factors to Osteopenia are smoking, drinking alcohol, aging and other underlying health conditions
Chairman Association of clinical and Academic Physiotherapist of Nigeria, Rivers state, Dr. Ken Madume in his remarks highlighted the challenges of back pain, encouraging physiotherapist to keep doing their job diligently to help their patients heal with appropriate treatment .
Other features was a presentation by the Head of spine unit, Dr. Ada Ogolo on back pain , the symptoms and the treatment, the report on successes achieved in the unit , where most of patients with back pain issues are managed.
Good will messages were received from the UPTH chapter chairman of Association of Clinical and Academic Physiotherapist of Nigeria, Dr. Oko Oyebuchi.
The Head of Department, Physiotherapy, Dr Ubom Mathias, in his opening speech, gave insights to the challenges of back pain , highlighting the risk factors which includes bad sitting posture and not engaging in physical activities. Stating that low back pain can be treated maintaining good sitting and sleeping position, engaging in guarded physical exercises – taking a walk around instead of sitting for a long time . He used the opportunity to appreciate physiotherapist for their support and collaboration, while expressing commitment to professional practice.
The event featured the presentation of Awards to the head of department, Dr. Ubom Mathias, Chairman of the Association of Clinical and Academic Physiotherapist, Dr Ken Madume, the head of clinical services in the department, Dr. Blessing Jonathan for their outstanding services.
The department as part of activities to commemorate the celebration conducted free low back pain assessment with the special machine for bone density test for Participants, Patients and Guest who attended the program
