Local physio gets thumbs up
CANDICE BRADFIELD
PORT Alfred physiotherapist Jacquie Kieck has the first and only practice accredited by the South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP) in the country, head office administrator Amanda Pandy from SASP confirmed.
| WAITING WITH A SMILE: Local physiotherapist Jacquie Kieck has the only practice in the country to be accredited by South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP). She provides a variety of treatments for those who have had an operation, injury or suffer from long term pain Picture: SUPPLIED |
in 2009 when SASP decided physiotherapists could apply for their practices to be accredited.
Five standards of practices
must be met
- management, facilities and equipment, human resources, quality management and operating procedures. This involves a lot of paperwork and a visit from a SASP delegate to do an onsite evaluation.
She studied in Bloemfontein and did her community service at Port Alfred Hospital. It was in Port Alfred that she met her husband Mark.
She qualified in 2005 and opened her own practice in March 2007. She bought equipment and took over clients from physiotherapist Gail Whitnall from Kenton who was retiring and able to offer her support. She said Jenny Goodrick was also very supportive during this time.
Jacquie specialises in orthopaedic manual therapy which involves working with joints, back, necks and shoulders, but is not limited to this treatment. She treats sports injuries and does a lot of post-operation rehabilitation. She is able to help patients who have had operations in Port Elizabeth or East London and liaise with their doctors.
She helps patients to have a better quality of life by helping them to understand and cope with whatever is afflicting them, even if they can't change the problem.
Jacquie offers exercise classes to help people deal with chronic back pain, improve core muscle strength improve flexibility. She also does home visits and sees old age home patients including those in frail care as needed.
She is the only private physiotherapist in Port Alfred and her and her team are first line practitioners which means you do not have to be referred by a doctor to see them.
She said it is important do go for physiotherapy after operations as the healing does not end there. There are still muscles that need to be strengthened and there may be bad habits that need to be corrected.
The practice is situated at 72 Southwell Road. It is open working hours from Monday to Friday and Jacquie can be reached on (046) 624-5135.
