The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has declared that this August will again be Tradies National Health Month, educating Australian tradies to keep a check on their health and well being.
Coming on board this year as the face of the campaign is actor and comedian, Shane Jacobson. Jacobson has been a frequent patient to his physiotherapist for the past 10 years and will front the crusade to better tradies health. The Block and Reno Rumble favourites Kyal and Kara Demmrich, a carpenter and physiotherapist respectively, will also join Jacobson on this year’s campaign.
Following on from 2014’s award winning campaign and ‘Sh*t Tradies Never Say’ viral video, the 2015 month-long awareness program will see the APA collaborate with industry partners, physiotherapists and tradies to continue educating and providing support to tradespeople throughout Australia.
The campaign focuses on physical and mental health, safety on site and the positive effects that physiotherapy can have on those that work in a labour intensive industry.
“It gives me great pleasure to be able to support this awesome campaign, I had suffered back pain for quite a while until I got smart and went to see a physio. It’s simple really, if you have trouble with your power you call a sparky, if there is something wrong with your down pipe you call a plumber, if you want to fix a crook back call a physio…” said APA ambassador, Shane Jacobson.
Growing from strength to strength since the initial campaign in 2013, the Australian Physiotherapy Association CEO Cris Massis is proud that the campaign will continue to spread the important message of health, well being and safety within the trade industry.
“Tradies are at the core of Australia’s foundation, without them our country wouldn’t tick. From apprentices to seasoned tradies, it is important that they all look after themselves 24/7. Health and wellbeing should be a tradies most important and valued tool. We had over 260,000 tradies on board last year so we hope this number grows further in 2015,” said APA CEO Cris Massis.
“We are so proud that the Australian Physiotherapy Association is able to support tradies. Physiotherapists are always using their skills to care for tradies so we wanted to continue this support beyond the consulting room.”
Every day ten tradies are badly injured at work, with nearly all roofers, plumbers and labourers experiencing back pain, muscle stress and strain from their trade.
Mental health is also a significant issue with around 18 per cent of injured workers having to seek mental health services after being off work for more than six months.
The Australian Physiotherapy Association is the peak body representing the interests of Australian physiotherapists and their patients. The Australian Physiotherapy Association is a national organisation with non-autonomous state and territory branches and specialty subgroups.
