Search

The article delves into the dual approach of physiotherapy “on” and “with” the body, highlighting the significance of physical touch and empathic interaction in patient treatment. It emphasizes the distinction between the “object-body” (Körper), on which the physiotherapist technically operates, and the “living body” (Leib), which requires deep understanding and effective communication to reconcile the patient with their post-traumatic world. Through the story of Marco and Giacomo, the article illustrates how a traumatic event can drastically change one’s perception of their body and the world, underscoring the need for a renegotiation of body identity and rehabilitation that transcends the physical. The article concludes by emphasizing the pivotal role of Narrative Medicine in physiotherapy, promoting patient-centered care and the importance of personal narration in the healing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The way we talk about health and the language we use can influence the way people think about disability, the behaviors they adopt when seeking care, and, not least, the very outcome of their care journey. An interesting series of editorials recently published in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy calls for an urgent change in this regard by proposing a shift from a language fundamentally based on mechanical damage and impairment to one focused on the patient’s active role and participation. Starting with the case of osteoarthritis, used in the series as an example condition, there is an urgent need to embrace this change by adopting it, in clinical practice, with all people who present with orthopedic problems of a musculoskeletal nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To inform the patient that an “error” was made in medicine is difficult but, at the same time, it is a duty – as part of the doctor’s professionalism – to inform everyone, for the sake of the safety of treatment and of the patient, and as a lesson for all to learn. The best way to communicate the error is to establish a relationship with the patient: in such a way, the communication can become an opportunity to start building a new therapeutic alliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]