Is physiotherapy a waste of time?

selement

One of my friends is a physio she would definitely say it isn't waste of time! The others are right that it's often about strengthening more than stretching. Is the doctor suggesting you pay? If its nhs covered may as well use their expertise to see if it helps

theoretica

I found physiotherapy very useful, in part because I am a lazy person. I knew I had sore knees, but there are dozens of different exercises and stretches on the internet for that. Having someone examine my knees and tell me the one stretch and one or two exercises I needed to do and a slight change to how I walked, was much more efficient than doing them all (which I wouldn't have done). I also found it very revealing having someone who could tell so much about my muscles and how I used my body. And if it didn't work, I didn't feel it was anything likely to cause harm so why not?

The thing to remember about the treatments which have no benefit above the placebo effect, is that the placebo effect does work in some cases. How should the NHS try to invoke it?

esmy

cashmonger wrote: »

How long is the waiting list on the nhs generally to see one?

With psychotherapy in the past the waiting list was 6 months!

So is physio that long or shorter to see someone?

This will depend on all sorts of things - where you live, what services your GP has 'in house' etc. I was seen on the day after the GP appointment for assessment and advice, with follow up a few weeks later,but in my case the physio's clinic was part of the health centre.

wapow

If you feel the treatments are rubbish or have no medical value, then you're entitled to that opinion. But that's all it is, an opinion of an uneducated individual. You've no signs of a knee issue and you're adamant you have a knee issue. maybe you are talking yourself into a problem with the negative attitude.


In any case, Physio wont help you. Its all hocus pocus homeopathy mate.


Just watch youtube for more uneducated peoples doing stretches and you'll be reeeeeeeet.

cashmonger wrote: »

I have sort of put it almost as low as homeopathy or acupuncure in terms of its actual practical benefit. Not that low maybe since those have absolutely no medical value other than placebo but close.

I mean isn't it just doing stretches?

I ask because I've had a knee problem for nearly a year and went and got an mri scan recently. The results, my doctor said, showed no signs of damage and that they would refer me for physio if I wanted to and that I should contact them for a referral if so.

If physio is just stretching then what is the point? Couldnt I just
watch a couple of youtube videos to get the same information?

EDIT: I just read the NHS blurb about it and it has vague spurious new age terms such as 'holistic' and even mentions acupuncture as part of the treatment options in some cases which seems to reinforce my suspicions that is was indeed on par with that rubbish.

Jackieboy

Nick_C wrote: »

Homeopathy and possibly acupuncture may benefit patients by a placebo effect. If it helps some people, and costs less than providing other forms of treatment, then I see no harm in it. People who believe in are likely to benefit from it.

Personally, I wouldn't include acupuncture and homeopathy in the same bracket.

The physio who performed acupunture on me explained that it was an additional skill that she'd trained for on top of physiotherapy - level 6 , whereas physio itself is level 5.

fireblade28

I personally am pretty sure acupuncture is pseudo science. It has failed all double blind clinical trials https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/reference/acupuncture/

Physio is not. There are many studies that show that it helps regain strength in the effected body part

belfastgirl23

The thing about physiotherapy is that it's not a magic bullet, often there's homework. People who don't benefit often are imho those who want a magic fix and don't understand they need to implement the advice given. Also it's true that sometimes you feel worse before you feel better as with many things related to fitness. Injured muscles need work before they recover.

My main advice though is do your research in your local area. Ask at a reputable sports club or leisure centre, or ask friends. Don't just pick a name out of the Internet. Some physios will have specialisms or wider experience and may suit you better.

And they are def not woo woo!!

Nick_C

Jackieboy wrote: »

Personally, I wouldn't include acupuncture and homeopathy in the same bracket.

The physio who performed acupunture on me explained that it was an additional skill that she'd trained for on top of physiotherapy - level 6 , whereas physio itself is level 5.

I found acupuncture very helpful when I was going through a stressful time a few years ago. But this may have been a placebo effect. It may have been the time and attention of a personal treatment that I was benefiting from rather than the treatment itself, and a Witch Doctor may have been just as effective!

I think homeopathy is a load of bunkum, but it seems to help some people who believe in it.

legitclaims

cashmonger wrote: »

I have sort of put it almost as low as homeopathy or acupuncure in terms of its actual practical benefit. Not that low maybe since those have absolutely no medical value other than placebo but close.

I mean isn't it just doing stretches?

I ask because I've had a knee problem for nearly a year and went and got an mri scan recently. The results, my doctor said, showed no signs of damage and that they would refer me for physio if I wanted to and that I should contact them for a referral if so.

If physio is just stretching then what is the point? Couldnt I just
watch a couple of youtube videos to get the same information?

EDIT: I just read the NHS blurb about it and it has vague spurious new age terms such as 'holistic' and even mentions acupuncture as part of the treatment options in some cases which seems to reinforce my suspicions that is was indeed on par with that rubbish.

You can follow any video tutorial if you are good enough to deal with your situation but having the right person for your treatment is the right thing actually because that person would better know from where to make you stretch and from where to avoid stretching as per your condition...

You should opt for a better choice for yourself!

Nile

Is physiotherapy a waste of time? No, not in my experience.

My GP referred to me to the (NHS) hospital physiotherapist on two separate occasions. One was for an ankle injury and the other for a shoulder injury.

I was given homework, which I followed to the letter and I made a full recovery.

I would jump (or perhaps limp) at the chance of physiotherapy if I'm offered it in the future. Physiotherapists are wonderful.