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After taking six months off for maternity leave, I decided to come back to work. It was a conscious decision – no one was forcing me and it wasn’t an easy choice. I’ve really enjoyed being at home with my daughter, seeing her grow and develop, and rediscovering the joys of the ordinary with her. So when the time came, I had to really think about why I wanted to go back to work and whether or not it was all worth it.

After being in the profession for almost 10 years now, I can honestly say that I love what I do. No two clients are the same. Even if it is a similar injury, our bodies all have a unique blueprint. Effective treatment requires some investigative work and figuring out each body’s intricacies. The body is complex but I’ve always enjoyed problem solving. One of my favorite games as a kid was Mindtrap! So I like the challenge of finding the source of the pain and seeing what technique the body will respond best to. And I’m still learning. I learn with each client and take courses when I feel the need to add another dimension to my practice. I don’t think I will ever stop learning in this job, or when I do, maybe that’s when it’s time to stop.

Being a physiotherapist is a part of who I am. Not only because of the nature of the job, but more importantly, I love that I can help people in a tangible and meaningful way. I get to help clients overcome pain and injury, and get them back to living their life to the fullest. I entered physiotherapy school very keen and eager to help people. That’s the reason why so many of us want to be a physio, doctor, nurse etc. right?

It still rings true to this day but there is so much more depth behind those words for me. I’ve had the privilege to walk alongside hundreds of clients who have sustained relatively simple to extremely complex injuries and help them come to a place where they can thrive. I celebrate with my clients when they come in and tell me with excitement that they can go back to a career or sport they haven’t been able to pursue, have a social life again, seek out new interests or hobbies, or simply take care of themselves and their family. Their victories are what fuel me.

I love my clients. Our clinic is set up in a way that we have the space and time in our sessions to really get to know each other. My clients are so much more than a person with an injury to me. I get to hear their stories, learn about their families, and walk alongside them through their rehabilitation. I often end up treating their family members, coworkers, or friends. Many of my clients live in the neighbourhood as well and so I run into them at the store or on the street. They are real people that I care for and are accountable to, and I want to do my best as their physiotherapist.

And so why physiotherapy specifically? Because I’ve seen it work with me and with my clients. Physiotherapists can help find the source of your pain, treat it, and give you the tools to avoid it from happening again. This means you can get better and stay better! I’m continually amazed with the body’s ability to heal, adapt, and get stronger. Even long-standing complex conditions can get better with the appropriate treatment and rehabilitation*. I’ve often joked with my clients that from day one, I’m trying to work myself out of a job. I don’t want to see you forever, at least not for the same injury.

I can say with confidence that I am glad to be back at work. Of course I miss my little one, but doing something worthwhile makes it all worth it. My job is more than something that pays the bills or passes the time. I am privileged to have found physiotherapy as a profession and a passion.

*Please note that some degenerative conditions or pathologies are progressive in nature and require long term physiotherapy management.

Jessie Wu, MPT, ConnectTherapy™, Clinical Pilates, CAFCI