Almost every patient in his/her first physiotherapy session with me has a ton of questions. Some are understandable and valid while others are mostly misconceptions and myths that they want me to clarify for them.
The more I interact with patients, the more I realize that there are innumerable myths about this profession and what we do to help you recover.
In this article, I’ve compiled the top 9 misconceptions about how physiotherapy works. I’ll clarify each for you and explain exactly why it’s not true.
Let’s dive right in.
9 Misconceptions About How Physiotherapy Works
Here are some of the most common misconceptions about physiotherapy that I’ve noticed based on my interactions with patients:
1. Physiotherapy Is Only Done in the Clinic
Since physiotherapists traditionally work in outpatient clinics, people believe that’s the only place they work.
But that’s a common misconception. Physiotherapists also offer home services. That’s where they come to your home and do your therapy there. PT is also offered in nursing homes, rehab centers, sports facilities, and hospital wards.
Also, physical therapy isn’t limited to what you do in the clinic. Therapy continues in everyday activities that you do at home or work.
2. A Physiotherapist Will “Fix” Me
Just as people go to the doctor thinking that the medicine they’ll be prescribed will fix them, they think physiotherapists will work their magic and ‘fix’ whatever problem they’re dealing with.
That’s not how physiotherapy works. Our job is simply to help your body heal itself. We design treatment programs to target specific areas that need the most work and educate you about the activities that you should modify to allow your body to optimally recover.
Being completely dependent on your physiotherapist to do all the work isn’t how physiotherapy works. You need to actively participate in the treatment program to see real long-lasting results.
3. You Have to Visit Your Physiotherapist Every Week or Multiple Times a Week
More patients than I can count have delayed coming in to see me or any other physiotherapist because they can’t commit to visiting the clinic every week or multiple times a week and they believe that’s how physiotherapy works.
Supervised physiotherapy isn’t necessary for everyone.
If you can follow the exercise program on your own or with minimum interaction with a physio, then you’ll probably do perfectly fine with a treatment plan focused on home exercises and limited in-clinic visits.
You still have to come in to see the physical therapist to get an assessment of your progress and for making changes in your treatment if necessary, but not so often.
Also, with technology becoming so advanced and telehealth starting to become a norm, you can always book your appointment online. Virtual physiotherapy can save your time and allow you to recover under the supervision of a qualified physiotherapist from the comfort of your home.
4. Physical Therapy Is All About Generic Exercises
Oftentimes, when you ask someone how physiotherapy works, they’ll say that it’s just about doing some basic exercises which are the same for everyone.
I can see why people think that, but that statement couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Qualified physical therapists are trained in designing personalized treatment plans for each individual patient. These plans are based on their primary complaint, functional limitations, treatment goals, and any factors that might potentially hinder rehab.
Physiotherapy treatment programs are more than just generic exercises. These also include activity modifications, teaching you to use assistive devices, postural adjustment techniques, and prevention of further injuries.
Also, any physiotherapist worth his or her salt won’t just ‘tell’ you about the exercises.
They’ll verbally teach you the proper way to perform them, then demonstrate the exercise in front of you so you can better understand it, and also have you perform them in the clinic so they know that you can easily do them without supervision.
5. Physical Therapy Is Entirely Passive
Not all physical therapy is passive. Just as not all physical therapy treatments are active.
And there’s also a middle ground called active assistive movements. That’s when the patient actively performs an activity but needs extra help to complete the movement so someone assists him/her.
Passive physical therapy is a form of therapy where there’s no active participation from the patient himself. The therapist moves limbs, massages muscles, and works on the issues all by him/herself.
Passive physical therapy is called hands-on PT. It’s mostly applied:
- On patients in a vegetative state such as those in the ICU or at long-term care facilities
- On babies who can’t follow commands yet
- To teach a particular exercise or movement pattern
- On patients with extreme weakness or paralysis
Active movements are encouraged during physical therapy. That’s because it empowers patients to take charge of their recovery and activate their full potential.
6. Physical Therapy Works Independently of Other Healthcare Professionals
Some people don’t view outpatient physical therapists as part of a larger healthcare team.
But, in reality, physiotherapists regularly work with physicians, surgeons, psychologists, pediatricians, and palliative care professionals – to name just a few departments.
Physiotherapists are usually a part of multidisciplinary teams.
For instance, in-patient physiotherapists on the surgical ward work with surgeons, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists. Sports physiotherapists work with coaches, physicians, and strength and conditioning experts.
It’s highly unusual for physios to work independently of any other medical professional. They need each other to share test results, collaborate on treatment plans, and provide PT while the patient is undergoing treatment for some other condition at the hospital.
Healthcare workers operating as a team ensure that their patients get holistic care and that their issues are thoroughly resolved.
7. The Only Proof That Physiotherapy Worked Is if There’s an Improvement
Physical therapy isn’t always aimed at improving your mobility, strengthening your muscles, adding flexibility to your joints and other such goals, although that’s usually the case.
Providing maintenance therapy is a small but important part of what physiotherapists do. That’s usually how geriatric or palliative physical therapy works.
Here, the goal is to maintain the patient’s mobility levels and avoid deterioration.
So if a patient can walk half a mile without support, then the physiotherapist will focus on training the muscles that are responsible for walking and work on the lungs to maintain endurance instead of trying to get the patient to do bicep curls for muscle strength.
8. Physiotherapy Ends With Discharge From the Clinic
Physiotherapy isn’t like most surgeries where your primary complaint is resolved by getting surgery once. PT requires lifestyle modifications and activity level adjustments. That’s why physical therapy doesn’t end with the end of your in-clinic or supervised physiotherapy.
You need to be consistent with practicing what your physiotherapist taught you during rehab even after discharge.
Suppose your sciatica pain has gone away with a few weeks of rehab. Now if you go home and aren’t careful about your lifting or sitting posture, strengthening core muscles, and doing your flexibility exercises, then your pain will likely return and you’ll be back to square one.
Many of the conditions that physiotherapy treats require life-long therapy.
Since coming into the clinic isn’t feasible for most people, physiotherapists discharge patients after resolving their primary complaints, but always with a list of precautions and a home exercise program.
9. Physical Therapy Is Machine Free
The word ‘physical’ in physical therapy can sometimes cause people to think that PT is all body weight-based with no requirement for tools and machines.
But that’s not the case. Here are some of the modalities we regularly use in physiotherapy:
- TENS for electric nerve stimulation in neuro patients such as in stroke rehab
- Suctioning machines in the ICU,
- Traction machines
- Hot/cold packs
- Therapeutic ultrasound for deep heating
Physical therapy is, for the most part, active and exercise-based, but it isn’t machine-free. The tools we use are designed to improve our therapy outcomes and make it easier to apply therapy.
Bonus Misconception: Physiotherapy Is the Same as Fitness Training
People who view physiotherapy as only exercises often can’t differentiate between fitness training and PT.
Although the two have many similarities, there are many more differences between them. First, physiotherapy treats people with their medical history in mind and often deals with patients with medically diagnosed problems.
Second, physiotherapy isn’t always aimed at making you fitter. The goal could be to return the patient to their regular mobility level, reduce their pain, and heal the injured muscle, joint, ligament, tendon, etc.
Physiotherapists are also confused with chiropractors. Especially musculoskeletal physios who work with joints and muscles.
People have the misconception that physios will pop their joints back in alignment and their pain will mysteriously go away. This stems from the fact that people find relief after cracking joints.
(This isn’t to say that there’s anything wrong with chiropractors or fitness trainers. We have massive respect for these professions and the work they do to help people. This section of the article is simply pointing out the differences that set physiotherapy apart from the two domains.)
The Takeaway
Misconceptions about how physiotherapy works can be dangerous because these have the power to deter patients from seeking the right kind of care.
If you’re ever unsure about something, it’s best to ask an expert to set the record straight.
Confused about how physio works or what the scope of our services is? Contact us today and we’ll answer your questions.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only. We provide well-researched and authentic information. Do not consider this personalized health advice. Please contact a licensed healthcare professional for medical issues and health concerns.