I've been puzzling for some time why it is that chronic pain seems to be so much in focus for physiotherapists at the moment. For many years, chronic pain resided along with depression, rheumatoid disease and cerebral palsy as one of the many 'Cinderella' disorders and syndromes that physiotherapists in the public system endured (though had little remedy for), and those in the private system indulged, whenever someone could afford to pay for the treatment which was lengthy and, at best, marginally effective. Then, a few years ago, people like David Butler, Louis Gifford and Lorimer Moseley began writing about the neuroscience of pain and it seemed practitioners began to … [Read more...] about Why pain? Why now?
The sociology of everyday
People often think that philosophy and sociology are concerned with grand ideas like hope, suffering, the meaning of existence, and what it means to be good. And while it can be about these things, it often concerns things that are commonplace, everyday and quotidian (a lovely word, meaning occurring everyday, mundane and repeated). The latest special issue of the journal Sociology (link) is devoted to the study of everyday life and asks some really interesting questions that we can use in our thinking and practice of physiotherapy. In the guest editorial, Sarah Neal and Karim Murji argue that, 'In many ways, it is difficult to overstate the significance of the everyday because it is, … [Read more...] about The sociology of everyday
Person most likely…
Congratulations to CPN Executive Member Jenny Setchell for winning the prize for the 'Paper most likely to have an impact on the profession' at the recent APA conference, for her paper 'Physical therapists' ways of thinking and talking about overweight and obesity - Clinical implications.' Jenny is based at the University of Queensland in Australia and has research interests in discrimination in a health care context, particularly how health professional attitudes and perceptions towards patients/clients can affect their health care. She is currently researching: Anti-fat attitudes, or weight stigma, of physiotherapists and their clinical relevance The impacts of medical doctors' … [Read more...] about Person most likely…
Interview with Wenche Bjorbækmo
Every so often we profile a member of the Critical Physiotherapy Network to find out a bit more about them and their work. In this 'interview' we asked Wenche Bjorbækmo about the inspiration behind her research. Wenche works in the Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo. Wenche's work centres on qualitative research, phenomenology, physiotherapy, movement, experience, exercise, disability and (re)habilitation (you can see a link to her interests, research, teaching and publications here). Wenche has been a member of the CPN almost from its inception, and many of us had the pleasure of meeting her and hearing her present at the In Sickness and In Health … [Read more...] about Interview with Wenche Bjorbækmo
On pleasure
Something for the weekend, in honour of my dear friend BG, who could do with a laugh right now... Lying in bed would be an altogether perfect and supreme experience if only one had a coloured pencil long enough to draw on the ceiling (G. K. Chesterton). How beautiful it is to do nothing and then rest afterwards (Spanish proverb). No pleasure is worth giving up for the sake of two more years in a geriatric home in Weston-super-Mare (Kingsley Amis). … [Read more...] about On pleasure
CPN at the 2015 APA Conference
Over the last few days, we’ve achieved another landmark in the evolution of the CPN, when six members of the Network presented the first Critical Physiotherapy Forum at the Australian Physiotherapy Association Conference on the Gold Coast, Queensland (link). Led by CPN Exec member Jenny Setchell in collaboration with the APA, we outlined five different critical research programmes and topics of critical interest, before hosting a panel discussion on the possibilities for more critical physiotherapy thinking and practice in the future Ian Edwards - What is the source of our ethical obligation in physiotherapy practice: Codes of Conduct or the Levinasian face? Amy Hiller - ‘Insider’ … [Read more...] about CPN at the 2015 APA Conference
Want more critical physiotherapy at WCPT in 2017?
It's only a few months since the last WCPT meeting in Singapore, but plans are already taking shape for the next Congress. Over the last few days, WCPT has been asking what people want in South Africa, and calling for some input from the broader physiotherapy community. So it would seem like a golden opportunity to push for more activities, forums, opportunities and speakers who can promote critical thinking and practice. There is a Survey Monkey poll that you can complete here (deadline 7th October), and WCPT has announced its Scientific Committee - the people who will decide what gets into the programme and what doesn't. The committee comprises: Professor Dina Brooks … [Read more...] about Want more critical physiotherapy at WCPT in 2017?