PhysioCare’s celebrating 20 years of service

One of Barbados’ best known physio clinics has reached its 20-year milestone and its founder is promising to continue to offer premium care for clients who wish to maintain optimum health.

Dr. Sandra Vaughan said she and her team at the clinic on Whitehall Main Road, Cave Hill, St Michael are proud of PhysioCare’s first 20 years and are looking forward with even greater optimism to the next 20. She recalled that the service was started in 2001 in response to a need in the country to have greater ready access to physiotherapy. Since then, PhysioCare has been busy keeping people fit and healthy from her clinic offerings.

Dr Vaughan started out from humble beginnings with the aim of assisting the overburdened public health service. She went out into the community to help the elderly and those unable to visit the clinic for therapy.

Over time the practice evolved and developed a core range of clients, specialising in treating women aged 40 and over who have either lost mobility or are in pain and unable to function efficiently.

“It’s fulfilling to be able to look back at the last 20 years and see what we have achieved,” Dr Vaughan said.

“I’ve met lots of people I would now class as friends, and have people who come back to us time and time again because they know they will be treated well.   

“Our niche area developed from a need for women to have care that was more specific to their needs and which enabled them to cope with the physical aspect of aging while taking care of their families.

“It’s vital to understand the importance of pain-free mobility in order to manage and maintain households.”

The clinic has been a launch pad for other physiotherapists in the country to be mentored and groomed in private practice with some therapists later branching out on their own.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinic noted an increase in complaints about musculoskeletal issues – muscles, nerves, tendons and joints.

The business rose to the challenge and has continued to help patients both in person and on telehealth at a time when restrictions were at their highest. PhysioCare has adapted and operates as a hybrid model, which has led to recent staff additions because of the need to serve more people.

Dr Vaughan, who was a member of the national medical team for both the Commonwealth Games and the CAC Games, added: “For many people, being at home and not having proper workstations and lack of physical activity resulted in an influx of lower back, neck and knee pain – areas that we have a lot of experience in treating.

“It certainly has been a pleasure to continue to serve the population, especially during the pandemic, as we hit this momentous occasion and we look towards helping more patients in the future.  “We offer free discovery visits for clients to see if we are right for each other and have helped thousands of people get back to good health over the years.” (PR)