What to expect from Physio and how can it help me

Starting your journey with Physiotherapy can be a mix of anticipation and nervousness, particularly if you’re uncertain about what to expect. However, we can assure you there’s no need to worry, as you’ll be in good hands – quite literally!

Whether you’re new to Physiotherapy and seeking to understand what an initial assessment will be like, or you’re simply curious about exploring the overall benefits of Physio, our goal is to provide you with insights and answers to help you feel confident with your journey. So with the help of Team Ten Consultant Physiotherapist, Nita Jordan, we’ve addressed eleven of the most commonly asked questions we often hear.

What to expect from your first assessment and how can you prepare?

Initial assessments with our Physiotherapists are your opportunity to share the history of your injury and any concerns or challenges you have, so the Physio can understand the nature and severity of your condition or injury.

The format of these sessions includes: an initial discussion, physical assessment, goal setting and onward advice provision.

During the initial discussion, your physiotherapist will ask questions to help them understand your lifestyle and events which may contribute to how your body currently feels and functions. This will inform the content of your physical assessment and may include assessing factors like joint mobility, stability, muscle strength, and power, as well as a hands-on assessment such as manipulation or palpation of the area(s) identified.

From their assessment and diagnosis of your injury or condition and any underlying cause, our physiotherapists will work with you to understand your goals and create a treatment plan which may involve a combination of strategies such as: an individualised exercise plan, manual therapy sessions, modification of hobbies and self-management strategies.

How do I know if I need Physiotherapy?

Sometimes it’s obvious. Most commonly because you’ve been referred by a GP, surgeon or medical specialist, or even a Personal trainer of gym instructor. Or perhaps because you’ve had an injury that isn’t healing, is causing you pain, or restricting your mobility.

But these aren’t the only reasons where Physiotherapy can be helpful.

It can help with a range of posture-related issues like back and neck pain. It can identify areas of weakness or reduced movement that could lead to injury in the future.

It is highly effective as part of an overall physical maintenance approach (prehabilitation) designed to keep you injury-free and help maintain strength, wellbeing mobility and activity levels over time.

Regular preventative Physiotherapy is also a key element of an overall performance and training plan for many athletes and sports people, professionals and keen amateurs alike.

If you’re not sure whether you need Physio, simply call one of our Studios and ask to speak to one of our Physios. It’s free and there’s no obligation.

What conditions or injuries can Physiotherapy help with?

Physio can help with pretty much everything and anything that can impact on your body’s quality of movement and function, whether that’s to do with injury treatment and rehabilitation, muscle tightness, joint mobility, postural alignment (static and in motion) or performance enhancement. It’s effective with a range of issues and conditions, generally musculoskeletal in nature (i.e affecting the muscles, joints and connecting tissues).

It’s most commonly used to treat injuries and pain, whether from sports, accidents or other physical trauma. It’s also often an essential element in preparing for or recovering from surgery.

It also has a range of more specialist applications including Women’s and Pelvic health, where it is used to can treat a number of conditions including the management of hormonal changes during menopause, pre and postnatal rehabilitation, pelvic pain, prolapse, incontinence, pain with sex, and erectile dysfunction.

Why should I have Physiotherapy?

The most common reason why you might have Physiotherapy is to help you recover from an injury or condition. That can include everything from an accident or physical tramua, preparing for or recovering from surgery, work or lifestyle related back and neck pain, or a musculoskeletal condition like scoliosis or sciatica.

But these are not the only reasons why people seek the services of a Physio.

Firstly, it will focus as much on the source of the problem as it does on treating the symptoms, thus minimising the risk of it recurring.

Often someone may not be ‘injured’ as such, but will come to get an assessment and some advice on a persistent niggle, recurring pain or maybe an area of reduced mobility. A Physio can tell you if it’s something that needs treatment or can be safely left to get better by itself.

People also use Physio as part of a prehabilitative approach – preventative maintenance for the body. It’s a great way to identify any areas of weakness or dysfunction that could cause injury. Commonly these are people who are serious about a sport or activity and want to compete regularly, or who are keen to maintain their wellbeing and mobility over time.

Can Physiotherapy help with sciatica?

The short answer is yes!

Sciatica refers to lower back pain which travels to one and in some cases both legs. Often pain levels can cause temptation to move less frequently; however, avoidance of physical activity can delay recovery and return to lifestyles previously enjoyed.

Physiotherapists can provide advice on modification of activities and offer self-management techniques to dampen pain levels, progressively restore mobility and independence. They are also able to help with identifying soothing strategies which can differ from client to client whether via exercise prescription, manual therapy or discussion of care plans with our multidisciplinary services such as cryotherapy or infrared sauna use for pain management and muscle relaxation.

Our Physiotherapists are always keen to help you feel better and move better both inside and out of the clinic rooms. Their advice will extend to self-management plans to facilitate a safe and effective return to your lifestyle and hobbies.

What is Physiotherapy treatment?

The aim and content of physiotherapy treatment sessions will depend on individual client’s goals, lifestyles and the circumstances that have brought them to seek physiotherapy.

Our physiotherapists utilise a variety of approaches and often in combination:

Exercise Rehabilitation: constructing a self-management plan and reviewing this, progressing difficulty gradually
Manual Therapy e.g. joint mobilisations and deep soft tissue massage
Re-testing to compare to initial assessment and monitor progress toward achieving goals

What do I wear to a Physiotherapy session?

Please wear comfortable clothing that you can move freely in – changing rooms are available at all our sites should you wish to use them.

In order to visibly and/or physically assess and treat the area(s) in question, you may need to remove your shirt or trousers. Your physiotherapist will request your consent before this happens.

What to expect from a Physiotherapy session:

If it’s your first visit, please see the ‘What to expect from your first assessment’ question above.

If it’s a follow-up session, your physiotherapist will discuss with you how you’ve been in the interim since your last visit, review your progress towards goals and review or adjust the treatment plan, as well as administering any treatment indicated – whether that’s in progressing exercises, or providing manual therapy. The end of the session is a great time to ask any questions you may have and confirm the plan of action between sessions. Then all that’s left to do is rebook and enjoy the process of getting stuck into your self-management plan.

How many sessions will I need to see results?

There’s no easy answer to this question as it depends on so many factors, including the severity and nature of your injury or condition, your age, overall health and fitness levels and injury history. (Not to mention how diligently you do any home exercises you’re given!)

However as a general indication, for the majority of clients who we treat, somewhere between 6 and 12 sessions is usually sufficient.

What are the benefits of Physio?

Physiotherapy has multiple benefits, depending on the injury or condition that is being are being treated. It can:

Help you recover faster and more fully from injury, trauma or surgery
Restore freedom of movement and mobility
Help you cope better with pregnancy and recover faster after childbirth
Reduce pain and discomfort
Improve posture and successfully treat many lifestyle or work-related postural issues including neck and back pain
Enhance sporting and athletic performance
Identify areas of weakness and potential injury and address them before the injury happens Resolve the underlying cause of an issue, thus preventing it from recurring
Improve wellbeing, longevity and quality of life