Physiotherapy
While the demand for physiotherapists continues to rise and many patients are experiencing the positive effects of physiotherapy, some misconceptions persist.
There are a number of myths and misconceptions that prevent people from having physiotherapy that need to be overcome to ensure that as many people as possible benefit from it.
It is our experience that some people will live with pain and discomfort for some time assuming it is simply due to age, but who have improved significantly with appropriate physiotherapy treatment. So, what are some of the common physiotherapy myths?
Myth : Physiotherapy Treatment Is Just For Sports Injuries.
People often describe physiotherapists as treating only sports injuries, working with athletes or being involved with sports teams, however this is far from a full picture of the profession.
Physiotherapy can be used to help a diverse group of people wanting to keep active. They take time to understand a client’s objectives from being able to do the gardening pain-free to simply improving mobility by providing a bespoke treatment plan.
Myth : You Need A GP Referral To See Our Physiotherapists.
This is not the case. Physiotherapists are sufficiently trained to determine whether an injury requires medical attention or if it’s one that requires sole physiotherapy treatment. Therefore, you can self-refer yourself to The Physiotherapy Place without the need of a GP’s referral. We can give early physiotherapy intervention avoiding NHS waiting times which will allow for a quicker recovery.
Myth : My Physiotherapist Will Only Give Exercises.
Exercises can form a large component of a physio’s skill set and they are very important. However, prescribing exercises isn’t the only thing we do. Throughout the course of treatment, other forms of techniques are used to create personal treatment plans. These can include manual therapy such as joint mobilisations, deep tissue massage, trigger point release, education and postural advice, and adjuncts such as Gunn IMS, acupuncture and taping.
Myth : Surgery Is My Only Option.
In many cases, physiotherapy has been shown to be as effective as surgery in treating a wide range of conditions – from rotator cuff tears and spinal conditions to meniscal tears and osteoarthritis. Many conditions should be managed in primary care with reassurance and advice to stay active despite discomfort and there is a general over reliance on scans and certain types of surgery.
Physiotherapy can help people of all ages stay fit and healthy, at The Physiotherapy Place our physiotherapists, through assessment and accurate diagnosis, determine the reasons for your pain and provide appropriate hands on treatment.
If you want to learn more or speak with an expert physiotherapist about your specific case, get in touch to arrange a FREE 15 minute telephone consultation or book an appointment here.