Healthcare is a human right for all, but there are still many hurdles the industry has to address to make it truly accessible for everyone. Findings from a survey on patient-reported discrimination revealed that 21% of US adults experienced discrimination in the healthcare system. Of those respondents, 72% experienced it multiple times.

Our write-up called “The Importance of a Movement Assessment” mentions that getting your body assessed is essential in preventing and addressing injuries. Being treated for pain is something anyone of any background should be able to receive, as it is necessary to improve one’s quality of life. Sadly, diversity is overlooked in many healthcare fields, including physical rehab, but it is essential in ensuring the proper treatment of patients. Here is why inclusion is a must for any massage therapy clinic:

It increases relaxation

Any health issue should be addressed with patients feeling as comfortable as possible, given their stress or pain. Writer Jane Adamson’s insights on diverse and inclusive wellness spaces highlight how these places create a warm environment where people feel safe to show up and be themselves. When people of all kinds are welcomed equally into massage therapy clinics, they won’t feel the need to be on guard or wary of their environment, and they can feel more relaxed when they know they are in good hands.

A relaxed patient will be easier to work with and more willing to share important information. Relaxation can also eliminate any tension in the body, making the session better for both patient and therapist. An overall welcoming and calming environment will lead to a pleasant session, sure to have them returning for more.

It ensures proper care is given

Many marginalized groups — including people and women of color, the LGBTQ + community, and overweight people — are discriminated against in healthcare, barring them from receiving proper treatment. A study published in BMC Public Health on discrimination in healthcare finds that this maltreatment increases reluctance to get proper help, which could have adverse impacts on their health. The massage therapy industry is not exempt from this as well. Individuals from socially disadvantaged groups also suffer from the stigma and lack of access to massage therapy.

When inclusion is made a priority in physical rehab, patients will no longer have to undergo the trauma that comes with discrimination. They will be more willing to get the proper treatment to improve their health and quality of life. If more people of all races, genders, and sizes get the help they need, rates of chronic pain or disabilities will likely decrease as medical discrimination becomes a thing of the past.

It creates a good bond

An inclusive physical therapy experience can be enhanced with a diverse group of staff. A multicultural team of physical therapists knowledgeable in the needs of people within their culture can give patients a more comprehensive treatment plan. Physical therapist Brett Sears notes that racial disparities are a big issue in physical rehab, especially for Black Americans. The lack of access and education has made it more challenging to access healthcare, and the small number of Black physical therapists further reduces patient outcomes.

A diverse workforce can ease the comfort of patients worried about not having their needs understood or met. A Black, Hispanic, or Asian physical therapist can connect with a patient of the same race or ethnicity on a deeper and more personal level, making providing care a more comforting and stress-free experience.

Article was specially written for https://www.rehabhero.ca/ by Connie Anne

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