Health concerns are often subject to a lot of misconceptions. For example, some people truly believe in the adage “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” and ensure that they consume apples as part of their daily diet. However, science shows that while apples do have great nutritional value such as providing fibre and vitamin C, eating them regularly does not necessarily promise sustained good health. Additionally, consuming apples in the form of pre-packaged juices can result in higher sugar consumption than recommended.
In the same way, the practice of physical therapy or physiotherapy is often muddled by misinformation. You may have heard certain myths that discourage you from considering physiotherapy or give you false expectations of what happens during the treatment. If you have been curious about the benefits of going to a physiotherapy clinic Singapore residents trust, read on to see the common misconceptions about physiotherapy and what the facts actually are.
Myth: Physiotherapy Is Unnecessary
It’s easy to think of sprains, strains and muscle pain as minor concerns that can be treated with painkillers, but this could not be further from the truth. Untreated injuries and other musculoskeletal problems can worsen if you don’t get proper medical attention, and this can make them harder to fix later on. Bones and muscles all have to work properly together for your body to be able to move and function as normal. If a small tear or fracture occurs and you dismiss the pain, it can become bigger and affect more areas of your body, resulting in greater pain and discomfort. It can also take longer to heal.
Physiotherapy is an important medical field and physiotherapists undergo years of study and training before becoming licensed practitioners. So just as you go to see a doctor when you don’t feel well, you should also make an appointment with a physiotherapist whenever something hurts whenever you move.
Myth: You Need a Prescription to Visit a Physiotherapist
A lot of people are used to seeing a general physician and waiting for their referral before seeing a specialist. However, you don’t need to do this for physiotherapy. You can make an appointment with a physiotherapy clinic as soon as you start experiencing pain or discomfort relating to your muscles, joints or bones. This makes things a lot more efficient as you can get a proper diagnosis and start your treatment immediately. It can also save you time and money as you won’t have to make multiple consultations.
Physiotherapists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics and even sports centres. This makes them more accessible for a lot of patients. You should be able to easily find a physiotherapist in your area or you can check with your medical insurance provider about accredited physiotherapists.
Myth: Only Injured People Need Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is commonly associated with rehabilitation or the process that a patient undergoes to recover strength and mobility after healing from an injury. This is certainly one of the most common scenarios, as the muscles can weaken and the range of movement can become limited following an injury. However, people with injuries are not the only kind of patients that physiotherapists have.
Athletes often work together with a physiotherapist as part of their professional training. The physiotherapist helps them to correct their form, strengthen specific muscle groups, and improve their overall physical wellness so that they can give their best performance. Doing this also helps the athletes minimise their risk of getting injured while engaging in sports, so they can stay productive and in good shape throughout their playing career.
Ordinary people can benefit from seeing a physiotherapist, too. Working on a computer and sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day is a common description of how many people perform their jobs. However, this can lead to a host of health problems if certain changes are not made to improve these working conditions. For instance, consulting with a physiotherapist can save you from experiencing gruelling lower back pain or needing treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. They can help you identify risk factors and make suggestions for creating a more ergonomic workspace.
Myth: Getting Physiotherapy Will Be Painful
Perhaps the image of a post-surgical patient struggling to get back on their feet is what comes to mind when you think of physiotherapy. It certainly looks difficult and effortful, but it is not painful. Pain is a signal to your body that something is wrong, so it is actually the physiotherapist’s job to make sure that your body is well. In fact, many patients take up physiotherapy to get rid of their pain.
Physiotherapy helps with pain management in many patients with chronic illnesses. It is considered a good alternative to constantly taking pain medication since physiotherapy can address the root cause of the pain and strengthen the muscles of that area so that its threshold for pain becomes higher. If you do experience pain during a physiotherapy session, let your therapist know right away so that it can be addressed.
Misconceptions about physiotherapy often stem from not understanding what physiotherapists do and what the benefits of doing it are. Hopefully, this article can put your worries to rest and encourage you to make your first physiotherapy appointment.