By Shannon Stoby, Physiotherapist
Usually you know when you’ve hit that wall. You have pain, you have an injury; it’s just not going away. Maybe it’s a recurring thing; maybe it’s been lingering a while, but you have reached the point where you can no longer ignore it. You don’t have time for this right now, but you make that appointment with your practitioner of choice to get it ‘fixed’.
There are numerous reasons why this scenario plays out so repeatedly. Life happens. There are other things to focus on. Work, play, family, friends—any number of other responsibilities and priorities. I get it.
But…
There are a couple of issues with this plan.
1. You aren’t saving yourself any time in the grand scheme of healing by waiting until whatever ‘it’ is feels so awful that you can no longer stand it before taking action.
2. You really don’t have to wait until it all falls apart to start taking care of your body. Body awareness, self-care, and making those appointments before you’re in a full-on state of disrepair can go a long way to maximizing your health and overall well-being. You don’t wait until you have to tow your car into the shop before you take it for a tune-up. Call it prevention, call it maintenance, call it ‘nipping it in the bud’–just do it. You’ll thank me later.
3. No one can fix you, except you.
4. Your health care practitioners are there to guide and advise, encourage and support; but, at the end of the day, the responsibility is yours. We have the tools and expertise to help you through, but the participation in the process and the work to implement the necessary changes are ultimately yours. And, really, that is a good thing. Why would you ever fully give that power over your well-being to anyone else? Be engaged in your own wellness. You’ll thank you later.
You have one body. You don’t have to justify looking after it; make it a priority. You don’t have to wait until the end of the benefit year to remember you are important. Make a commitment to renewal and you will be far less likely to have to face the deterioration.
By: Shannon Stoby, PT, MScPT
Physiotherapist
Shannon is a Physical Therapist with an interest in helping her patients achieve holistic healing from whatever ails them and achieve optimum functioning in pursuing their passions.
Shannon graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Physical Education with distinction, and followed with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. She is licensed with the College of Physical Therapists of Ontario and is a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.
Shannon has trained extensively in John F. Barnes Myofascial Release (MFR), and this is the focus of her practice. She has worked with patients with mental illness, has trained in women’s health treatment, and is a sports enthusiast; MFR allows her a means to assist with all of these issues in a meaningful way. She has also worked across the lifespan, with experience addressing the health concerns of older adults. Through her experience in work and in life, she has come to understand that there is more to healing than just the body. While physical health is paramount, the roles of the mind and the soul in health and healing are of equal importance.
Shannon is excited for the opportunity to work with the talented team at IHI, and looks forward to working with you, in wherever the journey may lead.
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