Misconceptions
“Rest is always the best remedy”
Active recovery is a large part of rehabilitation1. This means doing the little bits you can manage, instead of doing nothing. In some conditions, resting, may in fact slow the recovery process.
“No pain, no gain”
Pain “is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that which is associated with, actual or potential tissue damage”2. Pain can sometimes be a way for our body to tell us there is potential harm, and thus, ignoring pain and pushing through it can sometimes worsen the injury or slow recovery. However, sometimes, learning to move through discomfort may actually be part of rehabilitation. Being empowered, learning when it is safe to move, whether that is with or without discomfort is key to gradually returning to activity3.
“Once the pain is gone, the injury is fully healed.”
Many people may assume they can start activity once the pain has reduced. However, the absence of pain does not necessarily indicate complete recovery and/or healing. The injury may still require ongoing rehabilitation to improve its ability to take load, gain full range of motion and reduce the risk of re-injury4-6.
Impacts of physiotherapy
Physical
Physiotherapy may help relieve pain8 and may prevent your condition from worsening. It may enhance your movement, increase flexibility, and reduce muscle tension and discomfort from nerve pain.
Emotional
Physiotherapy not only improves physical health but can also have a positive impact on emotional well-being. This is by helping people regain mobility, strength, and independence. As you progress through rehabilitation, the sense of accomplishment from overcoming physical challenges7 can boost confidence and reduce feelings of frustration or helplessness. The supportive relationship between physiotherapists and patients can provide both physical and psychological encouragement, promoting a more balanced and holistic recovery experience.
Prevention
Physiotherapy aims to be proactive by improving strength, movement, and biomechanical analysis (or technique review) relevant to your sport, exercise or activity4-6. This commitment to overall health makes physiotherapy a powerful resource for preventing pain and injuries and promoting a healthier lifestyle.
“Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.”
— Hippocrates
Houglum, P. A., Boyle-Walker, K. L., & Houglum, D. E. (2022). Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Injuries. Human Kinetics.
Raja, S. N., Carr, D. B., Cohen, M., Finnerup, N. B., Flor, H., Gibson, S., Keefe, F. J., Mogil, J. S., Ringkamp, M., Sluka, K. A., Song, X. J., Stevens, B., Sullivan, M. D., Tutelman, P. R., Ushida, T., & Vader, K. (2020). The revised International Association for the Study of Pain definition of pain: concepts, challenges, and compromises. Pain, 161(9), 1976–1982.
Louw, A., Zimney, K., Puentedura, E. J., & Diener, I. (2016). The efficacy of pain neuroscience education on musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review of the literature. Physiotherapy theory and practice, 32(5), 332–355.
Cools, A. M., Maenhout, A. G., Vanderstukken, F., Declève, P., Johansson, F. R., & Borms, D. (2021). The challenge of the sporting shoulder: From injury prevention through sport-specific rehabilitation toward return to play. Annals of physical and rehabilitation medicine, 64(4), 101384.
Vincent, H. K., Brownstein, M., & Vincent, K. R. (2022). Injury Prevention, Safe Training Techniques, Rehabilitation, and Return to Sport in Trail Runners. Arthroscopy, sports medicine, and rehabilitation, 4(1), e151–e162.
Vuurberg, G., Hoorntje, A., Wink, L. M., van der Doelen, B. F. W., van den Bekerom, M. P., Dekker, R., van Dijk, C. N., Krips, R., Loogman, M. C. M., Ridderikhof, M. L., Smithuis, F. F., Stufkens, S. A. S., Verhagen, E. A. L. M., de Bie, R. A., & Kerkhoffs, G. M. M. J. (2018). Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ankle sprains: update of an evidence-based clinical guideline. British journal of sports medicine, 52(15), 956.
Marshall, A., Joyce, C. T., Tseng, B., Gerlovin, H., Yeh, G. Y., Sherman, K. J., Saper, R. B., & Roseen, E. J. (2022). Changes in Pain Self-Efficacy, Coping Skills, and Fear-Avoidance Beliefs in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Yoga, Physical Therapy, and Education for Chronic Low Back Pain. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), 23(4), 834–843.
Zusman, M. (2004). Mechanisms of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. Physical Therapy Reviews, 9(1), 39–49. https://doi.org/10.1179/108331904225003973
Ric Amorganda
Physiotherapist
Back In Motion Wantirna South.