A common misconception, when it comes to physiotherapists, is that you only need to see them for sports injuries or when recovering from surgery. When in fact, physiotherapists work with people facing a number of posture and flexibility issues too. Patients seeking preventative measures to maintain good all-round health should seek advice from their physios.
Given all these factors, people often ask their GPs when exactly they should see a physiotherapist. In this article, we are going to discuss some of the signs your body might be showing when in need of physiotherapy, and what a good physio can do for you.
What Does A Physiotherapist Do?
Before knowing when to see a physiotherapist, it is firstly very important to have an idea as to what a physiotherapist actually does.
Generally speaking, physiotherapy promotes, maintains and helps restore bodily health by examining and diagnosing first, then coming up with a recovery or rehabilitation plan. Physios primarily look at injuries or illnesses that limit your physical abilities.
Your experience with a physiotherapist will differ depending on what your body needs. A physiotherapist’s main aim is to provide rehabilitation, education and support. Athletes, often consult with physios for performance training, as well as assisting with muscle and joint stress relief. That’s why when you watch professional sport on TV you often see physiotherapists at the sidelines, ready to help if needed.
Many physiotherapists have different certifications and specialties, so it is important to search for a physiotherapist who may best be able to assist with your problem.
A physiotherapist who is qualified, experienced, has a range of therapeutic skills and uses modern equipment and technology is the best option for most people.
When Should You See A Physiotherapist?
To Prevent Injuries
Athletes often have a good relationship with a physiotherapist, but for the rest of us, consulting a physiotherapist may be new territory. Physiotherapists specialise in preventing or recovering from injury. This can be achieved by adjusting our posture, form, and movement patterns to help reduce our risk of injury or re-injury.
Most commonly adults seek the advice of a physio for rehabilitation from an injury that may have occurred. Overexertion at the gym, trying a new fitness plan, or work-related accidents are common culprits. A physiotherapist will guide patients in their rehabilitation, help them to regain their strength and understand what behaviours can be changed to minimise the reoccurrence of injury.
Prevention is always better than a cure, so getting some advice from a physiotherapist before you start at the gym or join a strenuous cross-fit group is a great idea. Remember, a physiotherapist is able to compare and align your fitness goals with your capabilities, which patients often cannot.
When visiting a physiotherapist for an injury prevention plan, especially for a sports injury or surgery recovery, patients are thoroughly evaluated. The professional will evaluate your medical history, current situation and future goals. Then they usually complete a physical assessment to get a better understanding of your body’s movements and identify any weaknesses. Once they have reached a diagnosis, the physiotherapist can offer a direct path to help you succeed in both achieving your fitness goals, rehab and preventing injuries.
Mobility Warning Signs
Physical limitations and flexibility problems can also be an indicator that it’s time to visit your local physiotherapist. Poor balance can be an indication that something in your body is out of alignment or you are compensating for an injury.
Tripping over often or regularly rolling your ankle can be signs of a balance issue within your body. They are also an indication that your mobility is restricted and your body is therefore moving in an inefficient manner. You are literally not moving properly.
This can be caused by musculoskeletal issues and may be due to recurring injuries. It’s important to note here that recurring injuries don’t necessarily have to be caused by a specific injury from physical activity or sports either. Our bodies carry a long history of all the physical things we’ve done in our life, and they can vary in severity over time.
Furthermore, there are bad habits we can pick up along the way that contribute to musculoskeletal issues. Which brings us to our next sign…
Poor Posture
There are so many reasons why someone could have lingering issues popping up periodically in their body, but one common culprit has to do with posture. A correct posture is perhaps one of the best ways we can avoid these lingering aches and pains.
Your posture may not be something you pay close attention to throughout your workday but if pain or injuries to your back, neck, and legs begin to appear, then your posture may be a crucial factor. Desk jobs are especially problematic because you are seated for long periods, and unfortunately, the majority of office workers have poor postures.
One of the most common reasons for frequent headaches amongst office desk workers is poor posture caused by poor ergonomically designed chairs. With that in mind, a physiotherapist can help you to develop an awareness of your position, advise you on a better work set up and improve the function of your postural muscles so that you can avoid those annoying postural pains.
Generally, a physiotherapist will demonstrate specific exercises to you that you can then use to strengthen your postural muscles and further provide guidance throughout your healing process.
Diabetes Complications
Diabetes is a disease many people suffer from. Apart from the obvious health risks it poses internally, diabetes sufferers also have physical issues that they may regularly have to deal with. Not to mention the positive impact of proper exercise on the disease.
Physiotherapists can take diabetes sufferers through a variety of suitable and appropriate exercise programs to help them manage their disease, based on their diagnosis and the findings of a detailed assessment.
Poor sleep
Poor sleeping or interrupted sleep, are signs that you need to see a physiotherapist if the root of the problem concerns joint and muscular discomfort. The consequential health effects of continual poor sleep can be quite bad for us, so it’s important to get as much quality sleep as possible.
Sore or aching joints, especially around the back and hips are often big culprits for uncomfortable and restless sleep. Physiotherapists are able to help correct these and loosen up the tension that keeps you awake at night.
They may also be able to identify stress points in the body and how certain sleep positions are either contributing to or helping alleviate them.
Headaches
Constant headaches can also be a sign of the need for a physiotherapist appointment.
Headaches can be linked back to poor posture and muscular tension in the jaw or neck area especially. Of course, if your headaches are severe in nature, a physiotherapist will refer you to a medical professional.
But by looking at your spine alignment, a physiotherapist will be able to gauge whether or not it is a contributing factor to headaches, which would be a far better option than constantly using pain medication to treat them.
Poor flexibility
Another reason to see a physiotherapist is if you’re experiencing mobility or flexibility problems. Some examples of these problems may include lack of flexibility in your movements and an inability to reach your toes. If you can’t move a joint past a certain point and it’s impacting your daily life, it is time to see a physiotherapist.
A physiotherapist will assess your flexibility problems and recommend stretches and other light exercises to relax your muscles and strengthen tissue around the affected area to improve flexibility. They can also conduct joint mobilisation and adjustments along with massage to help improve the soft tissue quality and restore regular joint mobility.
If some of these warning signs sound familiar to you, or you have recently suffered a sports injury, have had hip or knee replacements, are recovering from surgery or just aren’t as flexible as you used to be, then it’s time for a physiotherapist visit.
Contact us at Enrich Physio today to make an appointment and have one of our experienced and highly qualified physiotherapists have a look at what’s going on with your body.
We know we’ll get you back on the right track!