According to the Family Resources Survey (2023/24), about 5.4 million people in the UK are providing informal care. When we are acting as carers we often forget to care of ourselves.

As physiotherapists, we often remind our patients that movement is medicine, but it’s not just advice for those recovering from injury—it’s also a lesson for carers, parents, healthcare workers and anyone who finds themselves in a role of supporting others. The truth is simple: if you want to care well for the people around you, you need to care for yourself first.

The Carer’s Paradox

Many people dedicate so much time to helping others that they forget their own needs. Whether you’re lifting children, supporting an elderly parent, or working long shifts in healthcare, your body and mind are constantly under demand. If you become injured, fatigued, or unwell, your ability to provide that care decreases. This is what we might call the carer’s paradox: putting yourself last feels like an act of love, but it actually reduces what you can give in the long run.

Physical health isn’t just about strength or endurance—it’s about resilience. Staying fit helps you:

● Prevent injury: Strong muscles and joints are better equipped for the physical demands of lifting, bending, and carrying.

● Maintain energy: Regular exercise improves stamina, making it easier to get through busy days without burning out.

● Support mental wellbeing: Movement reduces stress and promotes better sleep, both of which are crucial when you’re caring for others.

● Be a role model: By prioritising your own health, you inspire the people around you to do the same.

In practise, I often see carers, healthcare workers, and parents who are injured not because of a single accident, but because of accumulated strain over time. The best approach is prevention—strengthening your body, learning safe techniques, and maintaining an active lifestyle. Think of it like keeping your car serviced: you wouldn’t expect it to run smoothly without regular care, and the same goes for your body.

Staying fit isn’t selfish—it’s essential. When you look after your body and mind, you’re not only investing in your own health, but ensuring that you can continue to give the best of yourself to others. Physiotherapy is one of the key ways to do this; whether it’s looking after your current strength and resilience, tending to that injury that you never got around to or by increasing your exercise tolerance.

Physiotherapy is perfect for improving yourself, in order to be able to help others.

Book in online or call (01752) 656340, to speak to a member of our team if you have any further questions.