Shoulder, back and knee pain are some of the common chronic pain Nuns face due to sitting for long periods of time. But most of them do not go to hospitals or seek medical help. This was shared while observing the World Physiotherapy Day at Thangthong Dewachen Nunnery at Zilukha in Thimphu yesterday.
Nuns who mostly have to sit for long periods of time suffer from postural deformities because of this, physiotherapists from the National Referral hospital said they decided to observe the day with nuns.
They added due to lack of physical activities, nuns are at a high risk of getting chronic pain. The day was observed on the theme ‘Chronic Pain.’
Health officials explained chronic pain is when a person falls sick for more than six weeks. The pain may be sharp or dull, causing a burning or aching sensation in the affected areas. Officials advised nuns to go to hospitals if they have any such pain for more than six weeks. They also educated the participants on the different types of acute pain
Screenings were also carried out by the health officials. The nuns were also educated on the different home exercise programs which they can do on their own.
Over fifty nuns attended the event.
World Physiotherapy Day is observed to generate awareness about the crucial contribution that physiotherapists make to society. The day has been observed globally since 1996 on every 8th of September.
Choni Dema
