Innovative new program helps Canadians on disability leave access personalized, technology-enabled physiotherapy from home

TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2026 /CNW/ -- Manulife Canada today announced it has partnered with Sword^®, a global AI health company to offer AI-enabled physiotherapy to eligible Group Benefits members. This innovative, technology-enabled program is designed to support members on disability experiencing acute or chronic Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, like neck, back and joint pain, and help improve recovery outcomes that support a safe and sustainable return to work.

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Musculoskeletal conditions are among the leading causes of disability and workplace absence in Canada¹, often making it difficult for individuals to work, stay active, and participate fully in everyday life. Through this partnership, Manulife is expanding its disability support ecosystem with an innovative, evidence-based clinical solution that can help members access physiotherapy more quickly and conveniently, supporting better health outcomes and a faster return to work.

"When you're dealing with an injury, recovery is about more than healing. It's about getting back to your routine, your work and the people and activities you care about," said Doug Bryce, Head of Health, Manulife Canada. "The rehabilitation process isn't always straightforward, and accessing care can be a challenge. Through our partnership with Sword, we're making it easier for members to access physiotherapy faster and more seamlessly, wherever it's most convenient for them, helping them stay engaged in their recovery and get back to doing the things that matter most."

The first phase of this partnership will provide eligible members on disability with access to licensed Canadian physiotherapists, supported by a Health Canada-approved motion-tracking tablet. Together, these tools enable personalized treatment plans, real-time progress tracking, educational resources, and ongoing communication with care teams, helping members stay on track throughout their recovery journey. In 2027, Manulife and Sword will advance to the next phase of the partnership, expanding the program to all Group Benefits members with Extended Health Care coverage and increasing access to physiotherapy support across Canada.

"Many Canadians face challenges accessing timely care due to geographic barriers and mobility limitations," said André Eiras, SVP of International, Sword. "We're proud to partner with Manulife to bring high-quality care directly to members, helping them manage pain, improve mobility, and build confidence throughout their recovery."

The launch reflects Manulife's continued investment in innovative health solutions that improve access to care, support employee well-being, and help employers manage the growing impact of disability in the workplace.

For more information, visit Manulife.com

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

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¹ Manulife claims data analysis, 2023

About Sword

For most of history, access to high-quality healthcare has been a privilege of circumstance. Sword exists to change that. As a frontier AI company, Sword builds the foundational models that healthcare needs, training them for clinical reasoning and safety. Its AI Care platform puts those models to work alongside licensed clinicians and care teams, treating more than 1 million patients directly across physical pain, women's health, mental health, and cardiometabolic care, and orchestrating care for millions more worldwide. Sword is trusted by more than 2,500 of the world's most sophisticated organizations, including sovereign governments, the US military, and the largest Fortune 500 companies, delivering high-quality care and more than $1.5 billion in healthcare savings to date. Learn more at sword.com.

Media Contact:

Emily English

(647) 544-2800

emily_english@manulife.ca

SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation

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