More services for Slave Lake!
Chastin Martel
Lakeside Leader
In early July, Slave Lake Downtown Physio (SLDP) moved to a new building on 3 ave NE. The move will allow for more wellness businesses to come into Slave Lake in the future.
“We’re going to have physio, chiro, massage and aesthetic, naturopath doctors, food care clinic, mental services and dental hygiene,” says Ganesan Kathiresan, owner and physiotherapist at SLDP.
The building has eight rooms upstairs and will have nine rooms in the basement. There will be separate receptions, washrooms, and entrances for the other businesses.
“I want to make it a little bigger for this town so that they can get services in one place,” he says.
SLDP plans to do a full open house once all the renovations are complete on the new building, says Kathiresan. The open house will take place sometime in September. The date will be posted on their Facebook page ‘Downtown Physiotherapy & Massage’. It will also be posted on their website sldowntownphysio.com. The new SLDP building was a medical clinic, says Kathiresan. Having a welcoming space was one big factor for the move.
“They (clients) should feel more comfortable,” he says.
“And that’s very important. It’s not just coming and treating, it’s more like ambient.”
Kathiresan tells The Leader that being a physiotherapist is not just about the well-being of the patient, it is to improve the patients ability to participate in everyday activities such as walking again. The treatment isn’t just for pain, he says.
“It’s not just like that,” he says.
One of the rewarding aspects for Kathiresan is the satisfaction of a patient coming in and telling him that they were not able to walk weeks ago. This is because he helps restore their mobility with treatments.
“Every time the client do that, oh, that’s more than what you get paid. You feel like more satisfied,” says Kathiresan.
It’s important having access to physio because Slave Lake is located in northern Alberta, he says. Many people are having to drive to bigger cities to get essential services.
“It saves their money too, indirectly,” says Kathiresan.
Good communication is the one important thing when looking for a physiotherapist, says Kathiresan. Another is patient relationship.
“I believe a patient centered care is a very important key for any physio, not just for me,” he says.
Kathiresan has lived in Slave Lake for 10 years and before moving to Slave Lake, he and his family lived in Edmonton. The move here was to get away from the big city. A smaller town allows his children to grow, be comfortable, and make more friends.
“I love the lifestyle, which is in a small town. So everyone knows each other,” he says.
