By Jean-Michel Cormier
1. PHYSIOTHERAPY IS CONSIDERED AN “ART” AND IS NOT BACKED BY SCIENCE
FALSE- I get a good chuckle when a patient tells me “I believe in physiotherapy” like they were telling me that they believe in the tooth fairy. What they probably mean is that they believe in the abilities of the previous therapists they’ve consulted and had positive experiences.
There are several thousands of scientific papers supporting the use of physiotherapy. In fact, several Universities now offer doctoral programs in physical therapy entirely dedicated to providing evidence on the use of current practices and assuring the continued development of the profession.
2. PHYSIOTHERAPISTS WILL SEE YOU FOR 5 MINUTES THEN STRAP MACHINES ON YOU FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE VISIT
FALSE- In no context should you ever feel this way when consulting a physiotherapist. Unfortunately, despite our professional associations’ efforts to assure quality with national board exams, variability in quality levels between therapists is still a reality. These individuals give a bad reputation to our profession and should be ashamed. You should have AT LEAST 15 minutes of one on one time with your therapist where that time should be productive, focused on education, management strategies, likely some hands on treatment and you should by no means feel that you’re wasting your time. Respect yourself, there are tons of good and caring therapists out there, don’t support the bad ones.
3. PHYSIOTHERAPISTS ONLY TREAT ACUTE INJURIES
FALSE- Physiotherapists treat a wide range of injuries going from acute to chronic. Obviously, the interaction with your therapist should vary depending on your current needs. With chronic injuries sometimes comes baggage where poor postural habits, muscle imbalances and/or beliefs related to your problem may require more attention. If the case, your therapist should help you understand the source of your problem and a thorough conversation should be had regarding all aspects of your rehabilitation (what to do, what to avoid, how to do it, etc.).
Not all injuries will heal the same and some may take longer than others. Some may even require surgery or additional medical intervention. Your therapist should closely and regularly monitor your progress taking responsibility in directing you towards the best and most efficient intervention available for your specific needs.
4. PHYSIOTHERAPISTS ONLY TREAT MUSCLE, LIGAMENT OR TENDON RELATED PROBLEMS
FALSE- I believe this one comes from the general public being misinformed about the wide range of healthcare practitioners out there (physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, massage therapists, etc.). As a general tendency, I see people relate chiropractors and osteopaths to “bone” or “spinal” problems, massage therapists to “muscle” problems and physiotherapists to the rest!
Not only are physiotherapists specialized in diagnosing and treating all musculoskeletal pathologies in any area of the body, some also follow advanced courses in vestibular rehabilitation, mental imagery for chronic pain, pelvic floor rehab for urinary incontinence, etc.
A good therapist will have no issues referring you to another professional may your problem be beyond his/her expertise and/or require further medical attention.
5. PHYSIOTHERAPY IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX
FALSE- One of the main factor that distinguishes physiotherapists from other healthcare practitioners, with respect to others, is their extensive training in exercise prescription. Physiotherapists firmly believe in acting as a coach and assisting you in attaining an independent position in managing your symptoms.
Your therapist should also encourage a healthy lifestyle. Excessive body weight, poor nutrition habits, a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are all things that can significantly hinder your body’s ability to heal. Make yourself a HUGE favor by adopting a healthy lifestyle in the New Year and see your chronic pain become history!
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