As we pause on November 11th to honour the service and sacrifices of Canadian veterans and active service members, it is also a moment to reflect on the journey many undertake upon returning home. For countless Canadians who served in past and present conflicts, recovery did not end when the battles did. Many returned to face ongoing physical, emotional, and social challenges - and rehabilitation professionals, including physiotherapists, have played a meaningful role in the process of reintegrating veterans into civilian life.
Throughout the First and Second World Wars, as well as in modern peacekeeping and military missions, the need to support injured soldiers recover from injuries and optimize function shaped the development of the rehabilitation professions in Canada, including physiotherapy. Many of the foundational practices used today emerged from the necessity to treat complex injuries and support veterans in returning to their communities.
Today, physiotherapists in Ottawa and other rehabilitation professionals continue to collaborate with veterans through programs focused on strength and mobility, movement restoration, functional recovery, reconditioning, prosthetic training for patients with limb amputations, chronic pain management, and long-term quality of life. While the nature of service-related injuries has evolved, the commitment to supporting those who served remains as important as ever.
To those in the Riverview Park neighbourhood and across the city who have offered their service: Thank you for trusting Premier Physiotherapy in Ottawa to help manage your pain, support your long-term rehabilitation, and achieve your personal health and fitness goals.
On this Remembrance Day, we honour the courage of our Canadian veterans past and present, acknowledge their sacrifices, and reflect with gratitude on their ongoing contributions in their communities.
Lest we forget.
