Is physiotherapy a waste of time?

Toothsmith

Nile wrote: »

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.

Exactly right

If you go to a physio expecting them to 'cure' you in that 10-15min appt - then you will be sadly disappointed. It's not a magic wand.

What they do is analyse the problem, and identify weaknesses and imbalances within your musculoskeletal system that can be corrected.

Often, it just takes some very simple movements or exercises to strengthen related muscle groups or stretch damaged tendons and the problem goes away, or dramatically improves.

But - doing the exercises is up to you, and if you don't, things don't get better.

It is completely mainstream medicine. Science based, and from going out with a Physiotherapy student (a proper degree course at a proper medical school!) whilst I was a student, I was amazed at the level of anatomical knowledge they needed. It was way above what my Dr friends needed to know with regard to the muscles and how they work with the skeleton.

Physiotherapy is highly effective, and very useful - but you have to do what you're told for it to work.

trailingspouse

There has been a lot of research carried out on the placebo effect - interestingly, it can work even when people know that the treatment they are receiving (eg pills) has no effect. It's fascinating, and definitely shouldn't be referred to as 'just' a placebo!! And the idea that if something is 'all in the mind' then it isn't real also needs debunking. Many things - depression, pain, stress, headache - are 'all in the mind', but that doesn't make them any less hard to cope with.

As to physio, I don't even bother going to the GP these days if I feel it's something that the physio can deal with - I go straight to the physio and get it sorted.

patchwork_cat

Having just read another thread by the OP, I feel that I have to add something to this for the benefit of the troll.

Are you aware of the A level grades required to get on a Physio degree these days, ABB or AAB ! My DD is taking a Physio degree and has A levels in Biology A, Maths B, Psychology B. It is highly over subscribed and not unusual to only get 1 or 2 offers out of 5 .

Do you think that people who are that bright would waste their time and energy with a placebo degree?