Integrating Mindfulness into Physical Therapy Practice

Overview

Paying attention. On purpose. Non-judgmentally. These are the three main pillars of mindfulness practice, as defined by Dr. Jon Jabat-Zinn. 

Over the last decade, mindfulness has become an increasingly popular topic in scientific literature.

Despite being relatively new, there has been an explosion of interest and articles on this hot topic. Its integration into health-care as a treatment for patients has shown that training the mind like a muscle isn’t just a theory – it’s backed by evidence. 

But what about clinicians?

Clinicians are uniquely tasked with not only handling stressors in their own lives but caring for their patients as well. In a field where stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression are not uncommon, how can physical therapists use mindfulness in their own lives and improve resilience, empathy, and wellness? 

This presentation uses a combined lecture and practical format to present the evidence supporting mindfulness practices and demonstrate skills to incorporate mindfulness into physical therapy. 

Speakers Dr. Scotty Butcher and Shrey Vazir share their own journeys with mindfulness practice as they walk us through the “why” and “how” of mindfulness in this 90-minute presentation. 

Course Objectives: 

Evidence of Mindfulness Practice – presented by Dr. Scotty Butcher with the following objectives:

1. To develop a basic understanding of a regulated stress response vs a trauma-induced response
2. To learn the ways that trauma can develop, and can lead to maladaptive learning
3. To explore and learn about the poly-vagal theory and its application to physical therapy
4. To define “mindfulness”, and how it differs from “meditation”
5. To learn the evidence behind the behavioural, clinical, and physiological effects of mindfulness
6. To explore the ways mindfulness can impact both patients and clinicians

Practical Component  – presented by Shrey Vazir with the following objectives:

1. What does mindfulness look like? 
2. 3 Minute Mindful Movement
3. A paradigm shift in rehabilitation
4. Practical applications for patients
5. Importance of trauma informed care
6. Mindfulness for ourselves, for self-care
7. Mini mindfulness: STOP and pause technique
8. A guided mindfulness meditation

Audience

This online course is available to all healthcare professionals. It is brought to you by the Neurosciences Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA). 

This course was recorded at the Canadian Physiotherapy Association Congress in May 2022.