Why you shouldn’t put off a physio appointment!
We’re all busy people these days, and putting off appointments to look after ourselves is sadly a common occurrence. Much like check-ups at the GP or scheduled visits to the dentists, it’s vital to stick to a treatment course when it comes to physiotherapy. Here’s why:
What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is treatment used to restore movement and function in a patient who has been affected by injury, accident or after an operation. It is a science-based profession where physiotherapists are educated to degree level to enable them to tackle any issue you may have, and solve it. Taking on a ‘whole body’ approach, they are able to treat the patient for many issues knowing that where the pain is, is not always the root of the issue. Some people have physio for life if they suffer from conditions such as cerebral palsy as it continues to help with spasms in the muscles that can have a debilitating affect on the sufferer.
What to expect
The main aim is to restore the body’s natural movement through massage and manipulation depending on the patient. On your first visit, your therapist will ask a number of questions about your general health and well-being. Then they will assess where the pain is and using their knowledge and skills, they will decide on the best course of treatment – this can range from exercises to manual hands on therapies such as massage. Next, you will have a discussion to ensure you are happy with the treatment before proceeding any further.
Don’t put it off
Physiotherapy was previously seen as an alternative method of medicine but it has come into its own in recent years. Nowadays, doctors refer many patients for NHS physiotherapy, but there’s obviously a long waiting list in most cases. Putting off either an NHS or private physio appointment is something you should never do, as, if left untreated, many conditions can worsen. Neck and back pain can lead to headaches, migraines, nausea and sickness because the messages are not reaching the brain correctly. This can have a detrimental effect on your day-to-day life and may also mean treatment and care will take longer to work, affecting you for a longer time than if treatment were sought immediately.
In conclusion, physiotherapy is not something that should be ignored or viewed as an alternative to medical help. Put off for too long, and you could end up needing more time to recover as the issues bring on other symptoms or ailments in the body. Look at physio as part of your overall treatment plan, and, just like the dentist or GP’s check up – don’t put it off.