Journal article
Moving Forward Together. Part 5: Championing Physical Therapy Allyship and Advocacy for Indigenous Peoples With Musculoskeletal Pain
R Toovey, J Linton, I Lin, JB Afanzahpe, M Buhler, S Bunzli, B Darlow, H Devan, B Dixon, M Fricke, S Large, P O’sullivan, P Roach, R Roots, J Setchell, K Tombs, E White, B Conley
Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy | Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT) | Published : 2026
Abstract
In the fifth article of the Moving Forward Together series, we explore the role of allyship and advocacy in improving the musculoskeletal health of Indigenous Peoples. Aligned with the truth telling and healing required in response to the ongoing impacts of colonization, these are important concepts for physical therapists to understand and act upon to improve musculoskeletal health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples. Our group— comprising Indigenous clinicians and/or academics from Aotearoa/New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, alongside non-Indigenous colleagues—collaborated to conceptualize allyship and advocacy in the context of musculoskeletal physical therapy. Using a socioecological model,..
View full abstract