Moving Forward Together. Part 2: Enhancing Physical Therapy Clinical Care for Indigenous Peoples’ Musculoskeletal Health
Abstract
series was developed to inform, guide, and inspire musculoskeletal physical therapists to bring Indigenous health to the forefront of their work in clinical practice, research, and education and to strengthen their roles in allyship and advocacy for Indigenous Communities. In this, the second article of the series, we examine the clinical practice of individual physical therapists and physical therapy services. Our group-comprising Indigenous and non-Indigenous clinicians and/or academics from Aotearoa/New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Samoa-reflected on current initiatives and explored future directions to offer suggestions on how physical therapists can contribute to positive change within Indigenous musculoskeletal clinical practice in order to improve the musculoskeletal health of Indigenous Peoples. Here, we take a practical, skills-based approach in describing ways to provide respectful and equitable musculoskeletal health care for Indigenous Peoples.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Indigenous Health
Education
and Rights
Cultural Competency in Health Care
Musculoskeletal Disorders and Rehabilitation
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy
- Volume
- 56
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 128–134
- Publication date
- 4 February 2026
- Language
- EN