Raquel Reid’s healing hands
RAQUEL Reid said she knew physiotherapy was her calling.
But after her father met in a terrible accident in 2011 and needed extensive physiotherapy, her vision to pursue the career choice was even clearer.
“When he met in the accident I started to research physiotherapy, but I actually started to attend sessions with him and that is when I realised that this was something I was supposed to do because my philosophy is more catered towards natural management. I knew it was my calling,” she told All Woman.
“I strongly believe that treatment should be as natural as possible, focused on preventative management and general wellness. When I had to go through that experience, I realised that physiotherapy was a better match at the time. I wasn’t in medical school but I was doing the first degree to get into medical school. I was overseas studying when I got the call that he met in an accident. I came to Jamaica and there were mishaps with school overseas so the path changed and I began to pursue physiotherapy,” she added.
Reid, who has been a registered physiotherapist and mastery-certified manual therapist for over five years, currently has multiple business locations in St Andrew.
Through her business, which is called Rehab with Raquel, services are offered such as orthopaedic rehab for muscles and bones; neurologic rehab for the brain, spinal cord and nerves; dry needling; post-surgical rehab; manual therapy; cupping therapy; exercise and relaxation sessions; health and wellness seminars; cardiopulmonary rehab for heart and lungs; and pain management.
Seeing the joy on her clients’ faces after touching their lives in a holistic way is one of the best parts of her job.
“I think the human body is so intriguing; I am fascinated with how it works. The idea is that you can touch this person in a holistic way and change their life — the smile that you see and the joy you see from that patient, it really makes your day,” she said.
Sharing a good experience she had with a client, Reid said, “I got a patient when he could barely walk. He came in my office crouching and — based on where he is now — he can work, he can drive, he can function in his daily activities, and he is so happy. He is so thankful he didn’t have to do surgery.”
Even though she enjoys her job there are times when it can be a bit challenging. Reid shares that sometimes she might overstretch her efforts to ensure she gives the best care to her clients, especially when they demand critical treatment.
“I give 100 per cent for each client so some cases are more difficult than others, such as a patient with neurological problems like a spinal cord issue or a stroke — you have so much more things to focus on and it requires all of you,” she said.
“Having given 100 per cent overall plus having a difficult issue, you just want to give more. I have a tendency to overexert myself in an effort to give the best care, and sometimes that can be very draining. Another challenge is especially with neurological conditions — sometimes it’s hard to predict how much recovery they will attain based on how their body responds,” she added.
When she isn’t busy treating clients, Reid says she enjoys singing, exploring nature, reading, graphic designing, and travelling.
As she continues to touch the lives of many, Reid wants more people to appreciate physiotherapy and its major benefits.
“I am just so delighted that there are natural ways of treating the body to bring it back to its normal function. Physiotherapy is a big deal, and you don’t have to live on medication. Surgery should always be your last resort,” she said.
