Is Physiotherapy more than exercises sheets?
I was recently asked via social media “so what do you do”? This was followed by “when I was sent to Physio I was given an exercise sheet”. I cringe when I hear this. Physiotherapy is more than exercise sheets! I certainly did not become a Physio to hand patients exercise sheets and send them on their way.
Subjective Assessment
So what do I do? I listen to you describe the problems or pain you are experiencing. I will ask you questions about your problems and pain. What, how or when is the pain worse? What, how or when is the pain better? The technical term for this is a subjective assessment. My questions relate to my knowledge of how the body works, how joints, muscles, nerves, etc, react, behave and respond to injury or illness. I will already be starting to piece together what the issue may be based on what you have told me. Research has shown that experienced Physios like me are better at doing this as we start to use something called pattern recognition.
Objective Assessment
Next I’ll do what is called the objective assessment or examination. I’ll look at how you move, how far you move and ask you if it hurts. I carry out tests which will help me to prove or disprove my theory or hypothesis of what the issue is.
Diagnosis
I will discuss with you what the issue/diagnosis is and what treatment I recommend. And here is the “physiotherapy more than exercise sheets” bit!
Treatment
Physiotherapists learn to carry out many different treatments. The treatment used for you will be tailored to you based on your problems, diagnosis and goals.
Treatment may include hands-on treatments like joint mobilisations, trigger point release or massage. Or it may include acupuncture, taping or electrotherapy such as ultrasound.
You will be given exercises to do but these will be specific to your needs, explained to you, demonstrated to you and I’ll check you can do them correctly. I’ll email your program to you or I can video you doing them on your phone.
Rehabilitation
Supervised exercise or rehab may be required for your problem and I have a lovely big space to carry that out!
So as you can see Physiotherapy is more than exercise sheets, certainly at Cathryn Clark Physiotherapy.