Should physios still touch?

Has therapeutic touch ever been more topical in physiotherapy than it is today?

COVID, the pressure on throughput in the public health system, and poor evidence of efficacy, have all played their part. But the exodus from so-called 'passive' therapies by musculoskeletal private practitioners in recent years has really shrunk what was once one of the profession's main modalities down to the size of a postage stamp. Remember those?

But aren't people also craving skilled, empathic touch more than ever? Aren't we, as practitioners, desperate to use our hands again? Or have we given up all hope of hands-on practice and resigned ourselves to remote Zoom consults and do-it-yourself healthcare?

In response to this, CPN members Wenche Schrøder Bjorbækmo, Tone Dahl Michelsen, Clare Delaney, and Dave Nicholls have worked with Frontiers in Rehabilitation to develop a special issue on the theme of "A Touch of Physiotherapy” — the Significance and Meaning of Touch in the Practice of Physiotherapy.

The special issue is open to anyone interested in the future of touch in physiotherapy.

Your abstract needs to be submitted by 23 November 2021, and the final manuscript by 22 January 2022. Wenche, Tone, Clare and Dave will be editing the special issue and will work with you throughout the process.

You can find more information on the Call for Papers here, or contact us directly if you want more information.