8 Common Myths About Physiotherapy, Debunked
Physiotherapy has been shown time and time again to be a safe and effective way to non-invasively treat physical issues. It has the power to get ongoing mobility challenges under control, or even eliminate them entirely.
Despite this discipline’s well-documented effectiveness, however, many common myths and misconceptions about physiotherapy still float around in discussions, mainly online. While it's an effective method of treatment, it’s by no means a complete cure-all solution.
Understanding the true boundaries, limitations, and advantages of this modality of treatment is essential. When you understand it more, you’ll be able to better make a decision about trying it as a treatment. With that said, here are eight of the most commonly heard myths about physiotherapy—and the true facts behind them.
1. Physiotherapy is Painful
One of the most common reservations people have about trying physiotherapy is pain during the session, and rightly so—no one wants to be in pain for an hour-long session. But the truth is, it shouldn’t be painful. One of its major purposes is to eliminate pain and discomfort caused by issues in your body’s tissue structures, and it is never a physiotherapist’s intention to hurt you.
Consistency is far more important than intensity in treatment, so it should be relatively easy with the odd moment of challenge from time to time. While certain people might find certain exercises somewhat uncomfortable, physiotherapy should never be outright painful. Plus, remember that moments of discomfort are all in the effort of eliminating pain overall.
2. Physiotherapists ‘Fix’ People
Some people have the impression that physiotherapy is simply a service to pay for, receive, and enjoy the benefits of, as if pain, discomfort, and limited mobility might magically disappear. However, physiotherapists don’t fix people–at least, not in the way you might think.
While we all wish treatments could instantly transform your physical health, this is simply not the case. Instead, you're given the tools, knowledge, framework, and confidence to learn to manage your own physical well-being, all under the guidance of an experienced professional. While receiving care is an essential part of the process, you’ll still need to put the work in yourself.
3. Physiotherapy is Solely Exercise-Based
Some people are turned off from the idea of physiotherapy due to the belief that it’s just a ‘home workout routine’. While it’s true that your physiotherapist will provide you with a regimen of exercises to do at home between sessions, these are by no means a workout in the traditional sense of the phrase. The routines we typically provide at our clinic are stretches, self-massage, and gentle resistance exercises. Most often, they’ll be slightly challenging at worst, and downright relaxing at best.
4. Physiotherapists Stop You From Doing the Things You Enjoy
Nobody wants to deprive a person of the physical activities that make them happy, least of all physiotherapists, who understand the importance of physical health better than anyone. With that said, people seeking injury care often need to take some time off of their usual activities. Rest time will be included in the initial treatment plan in order to best support their client and ensure a swift recovery. However, the ultimate goal of this rest time and in general is to make sure you can eventually return to the sports and activities that you most enjoy, without having to endure pain and discomfort while you do it.
5. You Can Teach Yourself Physiotherapy
Learning a given exercise off the Internet is (typically) straightforward, which has led many people to believe that physiotherapy can easily be self-administered. However, the missing element to this approach is the expertise and custom treatment that a qualified physiotherapist will provide.
Without the years of training and hands-on experience that physiotherapists possess, you won’t be able to determine the source of your symptoms with any certainty. If you choose your own exercises, you may choose ones that are ineffective or even harmful to your condition. Not to mention, form and technique are especially vital to effective treatment, something that can be hard to master on your own.
6. Physiotherapy is Only for Pain Management
Some people believe that physiotherapy is only intended for people who deal with ongoing chronic pain, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, treatments are for anyone who wants to improve the way their body functions on a day-to-day level, ensuring they’re supported for the tasks they do most often. Whether you work at a desk or on your feet, play team sports or simply exercise solo, physiotherapy can help you keep your body healthy and happy, improve strength and flexibility, and prevent injury down the line.
7. Physiotherapy is Only for People With Injuries
Similar to the last point, there’s a common misconception that physiotherapy is just for people who have been injured, such as in a sports accident or a car crash. And while it is often a vital part of recovery from these situations, you can also benefit if you have no injuries at all. As a matter of fact, the strength and flexibility improvements brought on by consistent treatment can actually reduce your risk of injury later on, making it an excellent way to be proactive about your health.
8. You Need a Doctor’s Referral to Consult a Physiotherapist
Contrary to popular belief, a referral from your General Practitioner is not necessary to get an appointment booked. At Triumph Physio and Wellness, anyone can schedule a consultation through our web portal to sit down with one of our team members, though we accept doctor’s referrals as well. Whether you’re dealing with a current physical challenge or you simply want to take a preventative approach to your health, our services are an accessible means to take control of your overall well-being.
As you can see, there are quite a few myths about physiotherapy that simply aren’t factual. We’re proud to offer services that have been repeatedly backed by rigorous medical studies, ensuring we provide care and treatment with confidence and certainty.
If you’re looking for trusted practitioners, a client-centered approach to care, and years' worth of glowing client testimonials, look no further for help than Triumph Physio and Wellness. Our team is here to answer any questions you might have about our services, both in general and as it relates to you.
Book a consultation today if you'd like to have even more myths debunked or if you're ready to get a treatment plan going!
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