The term “physiotherapy” is well-known these days but the question that arises is how many of us truly comprehend it.

Physiotherapy has assisted people worldwide in recovering, rehabilitating & transforming their lives. As the need for physiotherapy grows, many patients are seeing life-changing outcomes. However, certain myths are destined to remain. That’s why today we’re trying to demystify some of these myths & misunderstandings so that everyone may get physiotherapy & take control of their health.

So owing to this, here are some facts to refute popular beliefs & demonstrate how beneficial this treatment can actually prove to be.

Myth #1: Physiotherapy is Inherently Painful

#Fact: This particular myth is well far from being true. Physiotherapists strive to reduce pain & discomfort, regardless of whether it is chronic or long-term. They operate within your pain tolerance level to help you recover & regain mobility.

Myth #2: Physiotherapy is Exclusively for Injuries & Accidents

#Fact: People believe that physiotherapists exclusively handle sports injuries & are associated with sports teams, but the truth is physiotherapy can be used to treat a wide range of ailments including neurological, pediatric & geriatric problems as well as musculoskeletal conditions.

Myth #3: The Patient Needs a Referral to Visit a Physiotherapist

#Fact: This is not true. Physiotherapists are highly trained experts who can assess if a patient requires medical attention or only physiotherapy treatment. A physiotherapist can evaluate, assess & diagnose the patient before developing a treatment plan. As a result, the patient can obtain physiotherapy treatment without first referring to a doctor.

Myth #4: Surgery Is the Ultimate & Only Choice

#Fact: In many cases, physiotherapy has been shown to be as successful as surgery in treating degenerative disc disease, rotator cuff tears, meniscus tears & other various types of knee osteoarthritis. Therefore, surgery is not your sole choice.

Myth #5: Physiotherapy Is an Art Form Rather Than a Scientific Discipline

#Fact: One of the most popular misconceptions about physiotherapy is that it is an art form & physiotherapists are artists. However, this is far from true as physiotherapists tend to do their work by examining, diagnosing & treating impairments.

Myth #6: Physiotherapy Only Treats Muscular Pain

#Fact: Physiotherapists are competent to treat a wide range of disorders, not just muscular discomfort & ligament difficulties. In fact, physiotherapy may treat a wide range of conditions including vestibular rehabilitation, paralysis, sports injuries, chronic pain, pelvic floor rehabilitation & many more.

Myth #7: Healing Takes a Long Time

#Fact: Another prevalent misconception is that it takes decades to recover. Physiotherapy aims for a comprehensive treatment rather than a quick fix & effects are generally noticeable after a few sessions. Depending on the severity of the condition, the treatment plan may vary & take longer than others but the effects are obvious from the first sessions. 

Myth #8: Physiotherapy is a Modernized Massage 

#Fact: Physiotherapy & massage are fundamentally different things. Physiotherapy is a technique that treats pain & impairments, whereas massage is a practice for relaxation. Furthermore, physiotherapy is done after a thorough historical analysis, physical examination & diagnosis, whereas a massage doesn’t require any of these.

Myth #9: Physiotherapy is Pricey

#Fact: It is now fairly priced. Many hospitals & home healthcare providers now offer physiotherapy treatment at low costs, making it accessible to everybody. 

Myth #10: Many Private Health Insurance Does Not Cover Physiotherapy

This is not true; as many private health insurance companies do cover physiotherapy as part of their policy. As a matter of fact, you may always check your health insurance company’s policies & guidelines to see if they cover physiotherapy. Most insurance policies cover the entire or a portion of the physiotherapy appointment, whereas some may cover only a few physiotherapy services following a fracture or surgery.

Final Thoughts

These are the common myths & misunderstandings that have been lingering physiotherapy for long & now that you know the truth about them, you may go ahead to book a session for yourself.

With all being said, there’s no doubt that physiotherapy assists people of all ages in maintaining their fitness & health. It is unique & can cure a wide range of ailments. Many patients have found physiotherapy to be a lifesaver, improving their quality of life as well as their mental, emotional, physical & social functioning.If you are interested in physiotherapy & are looking for the best physician in Dehradun then contact us at KMC Hospital. Our qualified physiotherapists are always there for you to learn more about your problem & discuss treatment alternatives before deciding on a mode of rehabilitation.