Are you living with chronic pain? Have you recently sprained your ankle or wrist, and the usual care and rest aren’t clearing up? If so, it may be time to speak to a professional about your ailment.
Many people may be under the misconception that physiotherapy is only necessary for sports or injury rehab. The reality is that the Noosa physio in your area can actually assist you with a wide range of conditions. This post takes a look at the top signs that let you know it’s time to schedule a visit with your physio.
Understanding Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy, or physio as it’s more commonly known, is a specialised form of physical therapy applied to injured ligaments and muscles. The goal with this treatment is to restore movement and everyday function.
Physio uses a range of different methods, such as physical exercise and manual therapy, to improve overall mobility. Labelled as a holistic approach, physiotherapy addresses and strives to manage pain as quickly and effectively as possible.
A huge advantage of physiotherapy is that it can be administered to anyone of any age and fitness level. Not only does physio assist with post-surgery rehabilitation, but it’s also an effective way to speed up overall recovery. The healthcare professional who administers the different movements, massages, and exercises needed is referred to as a physiotherapist.
Since physiotherapists are regarded as first contact practitioners, you usually won’t need a referral from your GP. Patients can book appointments directly in most instances, but it’s always recommended to check if your specific private health insurance plan requires a referral.
For the most part, your physio will be able to assist you with any of the following:
- General physiotherapy
- Pelvic health
- Sports physiotherapy
- Musculoskeletal physiotherapy
- Gait assessment and correction
- Respiratory therapy
- Persistent pain consultations
Know the Signs Your Body is Sharing With You
There’s no reason why you should struggle to cope with ongoing pain or ailments that aren’t clearing up in the recommended time frame. With this in mind, our physios have compiled a list of the tell-tale signs to keep an eye out for.
1. You’re Experiencing Ongoing Pain
Dealing with ongoing pain can considerably hamper your quality of life and make simple daily tasks difficult. In some regards, pain protects you from more severe injuries by letting you know that a ligament, joint, or muscle has been injured. (Think of the pain you feel when trying to step on a sprained ankle).
The good news is that your local physio can assist you with pain relief, assess the root cause, and even provide long-term pain management. Your local physio will be able to treat pain related to various conditions, such as minor or serious injuries, joint disorders, or pain experienced in the muscles and nervous system.
This means that if you’re experiencing ongoing pain, you should schedule an appointment with your physio. Our experts recommend addressing your pain issues as soon as possible to reduce the risk of further damage to your muscles and joints. Keep in mind that chronic pain is often defined as pain that lasts more than three months, or beyond the expected healing period.
Techniques used to alleviate pain can include any of the following:
- Various massage techniques
- Dry needling and acupuncture
- Hydrotherapy
- Joint manipulation and mobilization
- Specialised exercise programs
2. You Have Injured Yourself
As we’ve already highlighted, you don’t have to sustain a severe injury to qualify for a physio session. Your local physio will be able to assist you with everything from rolled ankles to back or neck strains. Whether you have injured yourself at home, work, or during sport, a physio will be able to provide the care you need.
Some of the more common treatments on offer include the following:
- Pain management techniques
- Tapping and strapping to protect the injured area
- Providing assistive devices such as braces and crutches
3. You are Dealing With Stiff Muscles and Joints More Frequently
It’s normal to have the occasional stiff muscles or joints, especially if you sit in the same position for hours on end at work. However, limited movement usually indicates that bones or soft tissues may be injured. Once your physio has assessed the pain, they will be able to advise you of posture training, soft tissue mobilization, and massage techniques.
4. You Have Recently Been Diagnosed With Arthritis
It’s estimated that at least one in seven Australians suffers from the debilitating symptoms of arthritis and its associated conditions. The common symptoms you should look out for include the following:
- Stiffness
- Joint pain
- Swelling
- Reduced function
Here, our experts want to point out that physio won’t cure your symptoms, but you’ll be able to learn effective pain management techniques.
Final Thoughts
There are many ailments and conditions that your local physio can assist you with. Knowing what signs to look for will help you know when it’s time to stop self-medicating and get the right, professional help to provide a long-term solution for your pain!
