Physiotherapy is widely known as the most effective treatment for a range of physical conditions. It can aid recovery, improve strength, and increase a person’s range of movement. And yet, despite all of this, there are still plenty of myths surrounding the practice. So, to set your mind at ease, we thought we’d get to the bottom of some of the most common physiotherapy misconceptions.
The Truth Behind Physiotherapy’s Five Most Common Myths
Physiotherapy hurts
We’ve all heard the jokes about ‘sadistic physiotherapists’. The ones who take joy from making people suffer. But the truth is that physiotherapy shouldn’t be painful. In fact, its role is commonly to reduce pain. So, while some treatments can be uncomfortable, they should never be intense enough to be painful. ‘Little and often’ is usually the guiding principle of all approaches. The idea is that with consistency and repetition, problems can be slowly addressed.
Physiotherapists just give you exercises to do at home
It’s true that to aid your recovery, your physiotherapist will often give you some exercises to do at home. However, that will never be the sum total of your physiotherapy experience. During your appointments, there are various different types of treatments that may be appropriate to you. These include manual therapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, and massage, among other things. Not all of these treatments are offered by every physiotherapist. And they’re not all suited to every condition. But regardless of which treatment is most suited to your needs, you’ll never just be packed off with an exercise sheet.
Physiotherapy provides an instant fix
Sadly, there aren’t many ‘instant fixes’ in healthcare. And physiotherapy doesn’t claim to be one. Our remit is to help patients to make incremental progress towards a stated goal. In some cases, that will be complete recovery. In others, it’ll be improved movement and pain reduction. Either way, the process takes time, and you have to be willing to commit to it.
DIY physiotherapy is just as good
Some parts of physiotherapy can seem like common sense. And with the internet as an easy resource, it’s not surprising that some people think they can treat themselves. However, this is often ineffective, or sometimes even detrimental. Physiotherapists receive years of training in order to gain the knowledge to ascertain the cause of any difficulties and to deliver tailored treatment plans. Something that you can never hope to achieve through a DIY approach.
You need a GP referral to see a physiotherapist
This isn’t always the case even when you’re seeing an NHS physiotherapist. At some practices, you just have to ask to be put on the waiting list. With private practices, such as Ultra Sports Clinic, you just have to make an appointment. After your initial consultation, we’ll see what we can do to help.
Physiotherapy isn’t a fix-all solution. But neither is it painful or merely DIY. Our role is to give you the tools, knowledge, and support you need to improve your physical wellbeing, reduce pain, and enhance your mobility. But if you have any questions before booking your first appointment, please don’t be afraid to ask. We know that there are plenty more myths out there, and we’re happy to help you bust them.
If you’re looking for physiotherapy in London, get in touch with Ultra Sports Clinic.