Physical therapy is used to treat many different conditions, including injuries and pain management. Because of its benefits, physiotherapy can play an important role in people’s lives, no matter how old they are or how serious their injury or pain is. Despite its various benefits, many people have misconceptions about this kind of therapy. Some people think that it’s all about recovery from serious injury or after surgery, and some see it as only a luxurious massage with a few exercises that therapists show. To set the record straight and explain the real benefits of physiotherapy, we will point out common misconceptions when it comes to such a topic.
“You Can Just Do Exercises from YouTube Instead”
A common misconception and unwanted “advice” that we have probably heard a million times is that we can all do it at home by following exercises from YouTube instead. Online videos can maybe offer us some simple exercises to do, but they come nowhere near the professional care and support. We can use an online platform only to get basic guidance, but no one should ever rely on it.
The skills and benefits that a licensed physiotherapist can bring you, no video can. By following the YouTube videos, you won’t be able to assess your posture and range of motion, which is the case when you access physiotherapy. A physiotherapist will make a personalized plan for you that will lead to good results and effective long-term outcomes. Following online videos without the proper knowledge increases the risk of making your situation even worse.
“Physiotherapy Is Only for Active People and Seriously Injured Ones”
Probably one of the most common misconceptions is exactly this one! As many people are not informed enough, they usually think that physiotherapy is a process that is done only when serious injuries or surgeries happen, or when someone is actively doing some kind of sports or physical activity. Physiotherapy is intended for those cases, of course, but there are services and benefits that are available far beyond that. You can get support from a Registered NDIS provider who can make a personalized physiotherapy plan for you to help improve daily functioning and long-term health. If you or someone that you care about is struggling with chronic pain, balance, mobility, and postural issues, or is dealing with any kind of disability, physiotherapy access can ease your struggles and remove the burden that you have been carrying for so long!
“If it Doesn’t Hurt, It’s Not Working”
There are claims among the human population that anything that doesn’t hurt is not working, and the fact that this is very wrong and outdated is something that only a few people know about. Proper physiotherapy is a process where you learn how to manage and control your body again after you survive some damage or pain. During this process, you shouldn’t feel any big pain, and the right physiotherapist will always work with you as much as you are capable of and as much as you can endure. The main goal is to feel relief and ease, and not pain or struggle.
“Once I Feel Better, I Can Stop”
Feeling good after physiotherapy is great news, but it doesn’t mean that you should neglect it! You should trust your therapist, as they know when the whole process is done, and you should not do it on your own.
There are many people who have made this common mistake and probably regretted their decision later on, as the symptoms usually come back when the process isn’t fully done. Your physiotherapist is the one who guides you through the whole process, makes it easier for you, relieves you from pain, and prevents possible risks in the future.
“Physiotherapy Ensures Fast Recovery”
This misconception leads to many future struggles throughout the recovery process. People who expect fast results can easily feel unmotivated, listless, and hopeless. Physiotherapy is a whole process full of ups and downs, and it may take time to get to the desired goal. You might not see some specific changes right away, as physiotherapy happens gradually, just like any other new skill that we learn in life. Staying consistent and focusing on long-term improvement is something that will surely lead to successful results.
Physiotherapy is not something that lasts only for a few treatments and gives immediate results. It is a set of small steps that lead to long-lasting results. Healing is a journey that requires patience, and with enough belief in ourselves, it becomes something that can make us come back stronger and feel independent and confident again.
MindOwl Founder – My own struggles in life have led me to this path of understanding the human condition. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy before completing a master’s degree in psychology at Regent’s University London. I then completed a postgraduate diploma in philosophical counselling before being trained in ACT (Acceptance and commitment therapy).
I’ve spent the last eight years studying the encounter of meditative practices with modern psychology.