Name and Title(s):
Sarah Buddingh Smith – Physiotherapist
Where do you work?
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Providing people with hope as they find a path through the overwhelming experience of cancer is a deeply meaningful way to spend my career. When I see someone with cancer or their family member take a breath and look a bit calmer and clearer on their plan moving forward, it always brings me joy.
Why does physiotherapy matter?
Cancer treatment is so much more than chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Throughout the trajectory from active treatment to survivorship or end-of-life care, Physiotherapy is vital to optimizing the quality of life. PT focuses on helping people to rebuild the function needed to participate fully in their homes, families, workplaces and communities.
What is a common misconception with your work?
Cancer is a red flag condition, and as a result, PTs should not do any exercise or PT interventions with this population. I educate people with cancer about safe ways to move and manage pain, being aware of safety precautions for their type of cancer and stage of treatment. Instead of passive modalities, we focus on active self-management tools.
What drew you to physical therapy?
After my undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology, I went to see a Physical Therapist who taught me exercises that effectively managed the back pain I had developed from too many years of sitting and studying. I had no idea that PT even existed before that, so I started learning as much as I could about this profession and decided that it was a good match for my personality and interests. I love teaching people tools that they can use independently to reach their movement goals.
What is unique about what you do?
Cancer can affect every part of the body, and the same cancer can present and be treated in so many different ways. I work with both inpatients and outpatients, providing both in-person and virtual care. My role has endless variety and new areas to expand my knowledge and treatment skills. I came to this role from St. Paul’s Complex Pain Clinic, so pain science education and motivational interviewing are integral to the way that I practice.
What is one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
Outside of work, I love hiking and kayaking. My husband and I planned multi-day hiking or kayaking trips every summer before having our son. Parenting a toddler has definitely slowed us down, but last summer we brought our son kayak camping for a week. We hope to hook him on our favourite hobbies!