CAMTA physio team visits Quito rehabilitation centre

The CAMTA physiotherapy team took time out of their hospital schedule today to visit a rehabilitation centre just blocks from Un Canto a la Vida. The centre is housed in the old hospital where CAMTA first started to work 16 years ago.  

CAMTA physiotherapy team Anna Hebert (Physiotherapist), Justine Ferguson (Physiotherapist Aide), Barb Furler (Physiotherapist) stand beside the practice stairs at the rehabilitation centre.  Erik Soriano (Physiotherapist Aide but acting as team Information Technologist for the 2018 Mission) and Alex Smolinski (Physiotherapist

but acting as Translator for the 2018 Mission) join the team for a presentation to our Ecuadorean counterparts.

Barb Furler led the group in a discussion about ambulating with patients following a stroke. Erik demonstrated a common gait pattern. They reviewed some neuro-facilitation techniques and gave some tips and tricks, one of which is sitting on a stool for ease in controlling a weak knee.  By sitting the physiotherapist can assist the patient from the foot all the way to the shoulder without stretching or being out of place.  This is particularly beneficial for assisting the patient using small corrections.

Barb Furler (Physiotherapist) demonstrating with Erik Soriano (Information Technologist) rehabilitation techniques for stroke survivors. 

The group exchanged information and even a few chuckles when discussing challenges common for PTs all around the world.