A physiotherapist can play a huge role in your well-being and health, but there are myths and misconceptions that have arisen over the years as to how physiotherapy actually works. Many people are missing out on the enormous benefits of seeing a physiotherapist simply because they are misinformed!
MYTH 1 – PHYSIOTHERAPY HURTS!
FACT: In the past, “no pain, no gain” was the mantra of many a health professional. However, our job is to relieve pain and discomfort, so it’s in our best interest to keep you as comfortable as possible! Sure, certain techniques may provide some discomfort, but no technique should be painful.
MYTH 2 – PHYSIO IS ONLY FOR WHEN I’M IN PAIN
FACT: Sure, physiotherapy can help with the rehabilitation of injuries, but getting rid of pain is only one part of this rehabilitation process. In most cases, your injury is not actually coming from where it is sore, but is a result of a fault in the way you move – your movement pattern!
Fixing the way you move (your movement pattern) may involve improving poor joint mobility and muscle flexibility, biomechanical issues (how the forces move through your body) or improving your muscle control or strength. Improving these areas will not only prevent injuries from re-occuring (or even occurring in the first place), but will also help you feel younger by allowing you to do more of whatever it is you want to do – so you don’t need to be in pain, see a physio if you want to be moving better and feeling more powerful and youthful!
MYTH 3 – PHYSIOTHERAPY IS ONLY FOR MUSCULAR INJURIES
FACT: Physio is not simply massage and heat packs! Sure, we’re great for helping with muscular strains and sprains, but there is so much more;
- Joint stiffness, arthritic joints and scoliosis
- Nerve problems
- Disc problems
- Tendon problems
- Foot problems and ‘flat-feet’
- Waterproof casting for broken bones
- Headaches and migraines
- Jaw pain
- Vertigo problems
- Women’s health issues such as incontinence and painful intercourse
- Neurological issues, balance problems and coordination and stroke rehab
- After surgery – hip & knee replacements, knee & shoulder reconstructions
MYTH 4 – MY PHYSIO IS GOING TO GIVE ME A WHOLE BUNCH OF EXERCISES
FACT: Giving you 15 exercises to do is a sure-fire way of making sure that you’re not going to do them. What your Precision Physio will give you is one or two of the easiest and the most effective exercises, and most of the time they’ll be things that can be part of your daily life so you don’t even have to set aside time for them!
Rather than just a bunch of exercises we will help you to change your normal movement patterns – helping you to move better throughout the day, which means you will be exercising without even realising it! Plus, if proper movement patterns become habitual, it means that they will last a lifetime.
MYTH 5 – I NEED SCANS BEFORE I SEE A PHYSIO
FACT: While scans can be useful, a physiotherapist is trained in evaluating and diagnosing injuries without the help of scans. The sooner you begin the rehabilitation process, the sooner you can start to feel better.
If an injury does need the help of a scan to diagnose, a physiotherapist can organise spinal x-rays for you or work with your GP to organise the best scans for your condition. We will work with you and your GP/Specialist to make sure you get the right scans at the right time, so you get the right outcome.
MYTH 6 – I JUST NEED A COUPLE OF EXERCISES TO GET ME GOING
FACT: One or two exercises at a time is manageable, however sticking to just those probably won’t be enough to reverse the issues that are causing your injury. A Precision Physio will form a clear pathway, so that you understand why you have your injury and how to get you moving better and more efficiently. They will closely monitor your progress to ensure that you are on the right track.
An exercise may be effective in the short term but then as you progress so will your exercises to match your progress and challenge you. An exercise may even become detrimental to your injury and need to be changed – these are things a trained professional is able to stay on top of and help you with.
So know you know a little more physio fact from physio fiction, you might be realising that we can help you with your own situation. If that’s the case, get in touch with our team and let’s make sure that you’re living young.
This article was written by Precision Physiotherapist, Sam Crossland – you can contact Sam and the rest of our team by calling: 02 8607 4000 or you can request a call from our team, by completing this online form: https://www.precisionphysio.com.au/request-a-call/
