Does your pain need physiotherapy?

The lifestyle people follow today – despite the many perks and benefits – has taken a toll on the body. There are many who complain of back pain, knee pain, and neck strains thanks to the over-the-clock work schedule, deadlines, etc.

However, the easiest way to get rid of this pain, followed by many people, is over-the-counter ointments, oils, and pain killers. Not one person thinks of undertaking physiotherapy sessions unless the pain becomes worse or the doctor advises them to.

There are times when we may not be able to gauge the extent of damage that some pain or injury has caused to our body. It is therefore important to increase our understanding about when we should undergo physiotherapy.

• Constant pain: If you feel that the pain is constant, even if it is low intensity, there are chances that it won't go away on its own.
• Pain lasting more than 3 days: Sometimes even if the inflammation has subsided, you may still be experiencing some amount of pain. If this pain prolongs, it is a good idea to consult your doctor on whether you need physiotherapy.
• Something feels “different” since an injury: Although many people try to ignore any such feeling, chances are that something may not be right.
• Yourmovement has changed since the injury: If you feel you are walking, bending, or reaching differently, consult the doctor for a possible physiotherapy session.
• The pain is pronounced when you move: Sometimes, a specific movement of a body part can reactivate the pain. This may have a good reason and therefore needs medical attention.

What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is defined as the healing of an injury, disease, or deformity by physical methods such as heat treatment, Soft tissue mobilisation (Muscle relaxation), and exercise rather than by surgery or drugs. It is common to take medication or down those painkillers rather than going for a physiotherapy session as it take a lot of time. However, there is a need to understand why one should not always pop pills during pain.

The primary and most important side effect of any medicine is that when consumed regularly, the body starts building resistance towards the action of that particular medicine and additionally starts it slow progressive adverse effects on the internal Organs.

Therefore, the more medicines a person eats, the more resistance will be created in their body.Physiotherapy on the other hand is a great stress buster. It not only cures pain but also ensure’s treating the root cause of pain in 90 per cent cases thus allowing your body to be on the move thereby aiding blood circulation.

When and why?
The questionwe need to ask next is whether it is a good idea to just let the pain heal by itself or take physiotherapy for relief? Although the human body can heal injuries on its own with time, straining the body even while we are in pain can cause much harm. It will also make the pain stay for a longer duration and compromise the condition thus leading to tightness and stiffness in the neighboring Muscles and Joints resulting in Impaired functional Movements.

This is where physiotherapy comes in. There are certain ailments which take a longer time to heal, for example, post-surgery pain or a sprain.Physiotherapy can help manage these and help us recover faster. Here are some other ways to know when your pain or injury needs physiotherapy.

In conclusion
It is imperative to understand and ensure that your injuries are following the appropriate timelines and alsorecognisewhen an injury isn’t going to heal on its own. The more you wait to get it treated, the harder it will become to resolve the problem. For those of you who have been putting of a consultation, it is better to get an appointment today. - Shruti Bangera, Senior SME- Physiotherapy, Portea Medical