World Physio Day is on September 8th every year!
Also referred to as World PT Day, because in some parts of the world, what we know to be a Physiotherapist, is called a Physical Therapist (PT). This day is an opportunity for physiotherapists from all over the world to raise awareness about the crucial contribution their profession makes to keeping people well, mobile and independent.
To celebrate, our very own “PT”, Managing Director of Move for Better Health, Peter Tziavrangos, has shared some of his personal reflections about his journey in physiotherapy.
“Going into study as a physiotherapist in the early 1990s I was confident that I would end up following a path that would lead to me being a Sports Physiotherapist. I quickly learned that the field of Physiotherapy was much broader and diverse than I had imagined, and my career has definitely taken many twists and turns.
After graduating, I initially worked in hospital and community health settings. During that time, I had a chance to experience what physios do in just about every field of health and medicine. In addition to the typical environments that you would expect Physiotherapists to work in, such as orthopaedics and rehabilitation, I also worked in areas like neonatal intensive care, cardiac and thoracic surgery, head and neck surgery, cancer/palliative care and even a clinic specialising in hand injuries. These experiences were here in Australia as well as in the UK. The UK experience was amazing, as there were different approaches to learn from international colleagues, and it was a convenient base to travel from!
I have been fortunate over the years to have worked with many great people, many of whom have become friends, and one is my wife! We met at work at Flinders Medical Centre and then the UK before returning to Australia in the early 2000s. So, you could imagine there has been a lot of Physio talk in the Tziavrangos household over the years.
One of the aspects I love about being a physiotherapist is the variety of roles I’ve been able to take on throughout my career. From being a hands-on practitioner, helping patients recover and regain their quality of life, to becoming a practice owner and navigating the challenges of running a business, to serving as a board director and shaping the future of our profession — each role has brought its own set of rewards and learning opportunities.
As cliche as it sounds, what has truly been the most fulfilling is the opportunity to meet and help countless patients and their families over the decades. The trust and relationships built over time, the small wins and the significant recoveries, have been the heart of my career. Being able to make a difference in someone’s life, even in a small way, is a privilege that never grows old and to now extend that reach to help even more people with the allied health teams and admin staff at our clinics feels amazing.
As I look back on my journey so far, I’m really grateful for the path physiotherapy has allowed me to take and I wouldn’t trade it for anything”.
