Enhancing public health efforts by incorporating physiotherapy into awareness initiatives, according to CAN.
The 2025 Summer Olympics, held under the slogan 'Sports is Prevention', concluded with a strong emphasis on the integration of physiotherapy programs into public health awareness initiatives. Dr. Khaled Al-Saleh, Chairman of the National Cancer Awareness Campaign (CAN), emphasized the importance of this integration during the closing ceremony.
Dr. Al-Saleh stated that the inclusion of physiotherapy supports disease prevention, improves mobility and physical function, and boosts mental health. He highlighted how integrating physiotherapy programs can optimize physical function before and after treatment, reduce pain and manage treatment side effects, improve fatigue and energy levels, and enhance long-term outcomes for cancer patients.
The Olympics Director, Abdullah Al-Saleh, expressed his gratitude to all participants and reinforced the connection between physical activity and the prevention of chronic illnesses, particularly cancer. He also commended the Haidokan team for their role in the tournament.
Dr. Iman Al-Shammari, Secretary of CAN, stated that the 2025 Olympics featured participation from sports and community teams of all ages and a strong focus on sports as a preventive measure against disease. She urged the public to make regular exercise part of their daily routine for better health.
The closing ceremony also featured a lecture on the importance of physical therapy for athletes, delivered by specialist Dr. Hamad Al-Kandari. The event honoured winning teams, standout participants, volunteers, and sponsors, and showcased diverse sporting activities alongside health awareness programs.
According to World Health Organization statistics, over 2.4 billion people worldwide require some form of rehabilitation services. For cancer patients, global data shows that between 60% and 90% suffer from physical and psychological side effects that can be improved through rehabilitation and physical therapy.
The integration of physiotherapy within public cancer health initiatives raises awareness of these benefits, encourages earlier and more consistent access to rehabilitation services, and supports holistic patient care beyond medical treatment alone.
In conclusion, the 2025 Summer Olympics served as a platform to highlight the importance of physiotherapy in disease prevention, rehabilitation, and overall health and wellbeing. The event underscored the need for continued efforts to make physiotherapy services accessible and integrated into public health initiatives.
- Dr. Hamad Al-Kandari, the specialist who delivered a lecture on the importance of physical therapy for athletes during the closing ceremony, emphasized that sports can be a valuable preventative measure against not just physical but also psychological side effects, particularly in the context of health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise.
- Ignoring the benefits that physiotherapy offers, such as its role in managing treatment side effects and improving fatigue and energy levels, could be detrimental, especially in the sporting community and in the fight against chronic diseases like cancer. By advocating for the integration of physiotherapy within sports and public health initiatives, we can optimize long-term outcomes and promote science-backed solutions for health and wellness.
