All around the globe, Physiotherapy has been helping people recover, rehabilitate and transform their lives. It enables people to take charge of their health and improve their overall fitness, mobility, and quality of life.
There are a number of myths and misconceptions about Physiotherapy, including its use, what is involved and the cost. Debunking the common ones is important to better enable us to take charge of our health and improve our overall fitness, mobility, and quality of life.
MYTH: I need a doctor’s referral to see a physiotherapist.
FACT: This depends on many factors. Physiotherapists are extremely thorough when screening their patients. At your first visit they take a detailed medical history and perform specific assessments, and may send you to a Doctor for further tests. Physiotherapists in many countries are now first line practitioners. This means patients can seek treatment from a Physiotherapist without a Doctor’s prior referral. However, your medical insurance may require a referral.
MYTH: Physiotherapy is painful.
FACT: Physiotherapists seek to minimize pain and discomfort—even if it is chronic or long-term. They work within the range of your pain threshold to help you heal, and restore movement. On initial contact you may experience discomfort and some pain but the aim is to keep it very minimal and for you to leave feeling better than you walked in.
MYTH: Physiotherapy is only for injuries and accidents.
FACT: Physiotherapy can be used to help a diverse group of people wanting to keep active. It helps in rehabilitation, as well as prevention of injury and promotion of health and fitness. One does not only have to see a physiotherapist when injured, you may seek physiotherapy for preventative measures.
MYTH: Surgery is the final/only option.
FACT: From treating degenerative disc disease, rotator cuff tears, forms of knee osteoarthritis to meniscal tears, physiotherapy has proven to be as effective as surgery. Therefore having surgery is not your only option. Consult a physiotherapist and you could be glad to have made that choice in the long run. In many cases, physiotherapy has been shown to be on par with surgery in treating a wide range of conditions – from rotator cuff tears and degenerative disk disease to meniscal tears and some forms of knee osteoarthritis. And if you do chose to go for surgery you will still need physiotherapy intervention.
MYTH: Physiotherapy is an art not science
FACT: One of the most common myths around Physiotherapy is that it is an art and Physiotherapists are artists. In reality, Physiotherapists are qualified to assess, diagnose and treat disabilities. Four years of undergraduate studies, learning the human body, human medical science and hours of clinical work before you acquire your Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy is more than just an art.
MYTH: Physiotherapy treats only muscle pain
FACT: Physiotherapists are qualified to treat wide range of diseases and their expertise is not limited to muscle pain and ligament related issues. Conditions such as vestibular rehabilitation, paralysis, sports injuries, chronic pain, pelvic floor rehabilitation and many more can be treated by Physiotherapy.
MYTH: Healing takes a long time
FACT: Another common myth around it is that it takes forever to heal. Though Physiotherapy aims at complete cure and not just temporary fix, results are usually visible in few sessions. Depending on the severity of the problem, the treatment plan can vary and might be longer than others but results are visible from the initial sessions itself.
MYTH: Physiotherapy is just a modernized term for massage therapy
FACT: Physiotherapy and massage are two completely separate things. Physiotherapy is a practice to cure pain and disabilities using many different treatments, one of which may well be massage. A massage therapist uses only massage. Besides, physiotherapy is based on physical examination and diagnosis, up to date research, evidence based practice.
MYTH: Physiotherapy It is expensive
FACT: Physio treatment sessions are reasonably priced - most are covered by medical aid but even those who pay for their own find huge value in the relief they get from rehabilitation.
MYTH: Physiotherapists are diploma holders
FACT: Historically Physiotherapy was a diploma course, but as the profession progressed, in the early 1980’s it was converted into a 4 year BSC Degree (Bachelor of Science) followed by a mentored/supervised internship.
We hope this helps! If you have any questions please contact us on 3159303 or 71221237
Based on an article by HealthCare at HOME