DEMYSTIFYING THE MYTH: PHYSIOTHERAPY

Some of the common questions/ comments I get when I introduce myself as a Physiotherapist or someone finds out I practise as a physiotherapist are; “ Oh!!! Its you people that set people’s bone”, “you see I have been looking for someone that will do massage for my grandma”, “you must be very rich because you should be working with the football players”. These and many more are some of the statements we hear from most educated, not- so- educated, elites amongst others.

My aim with this write- up is to help demystify some of the myths surrounding Physiotherapy as a profession- conditions we see, requirements necessary to qualify as a Physiotherapist etc.

Physiotherapy is a regulated profession and to qualify to be a Physiotherapist; one must have gone through a thorough Bachelors degree from any of the recognized universities even though a country like USA has since shifted focus from bachelors to doctorate degree as their first degree.

Hence, not every tom, dick and harry qualify to be a Physiotherapist, even No PHYSICIAN OR ANY OTHER MEDICAL TEAM MEMBER QUALIFY TO DO THE JOB OF  A PHYSIO; albeit we work together with other health professionals as a multidisciplinary team.    

                                                                                              

·        Myth: Physiotherapy is painful.

• Fact: I have had patients who came in for physio sessions, and were literally shaken/ unsure if they will be able to bear the pain they assume will accompany their sessions.

The truth is temporary soreness may occur with treatment, and this is largely normal because a very significant portion of your physio session consists of exercises. It is expected that this soreness should reduce/ disappear in no time. Our sole aim with Physio is to reduce a patients’ pain, maximize movement and optimize function.

·        Myth: Physiotherapy Is for certain clinical conditions caused by Injuries

• Fact: On the contrary, as Physios we evaluate, diagnose and plan treatment programs for various conditions from low back pain, osteoarthritis etc.

·        Myth: Physiotherapists are masseurs

• Fact: We use manual therapy (which include some form of tissue mobilization- which the layman might call “massage”), exercises, modalties such as heat, cold in the management of the conditions we see. Hence use of “massage” is just a fraction of the different techniques we use in treating our patients/ clients.

·        Myth: I can do physiotherapy myself.

• Fact: The goal of physical therapy is to educate the patient on successful self-care. To accomplish this, however, the expert care and guidance of a licensed physical therapist is required. Your physical therapist's specialized education and clinical expertise, combined with the latest available evidence and treatment techniques, are critical to evaluating and diagnosing your condition and developing an individualized plan of care.

·        Myth: Surgery is my only option.

• Fact: In many cases, physical therapy has been shown to be as effective as surgery in treating a wide range of conditions—from rotator cuff tears and degenerative disk disease to meniscal tears and some forms of knee osteoarthritis. The study found that people who recently have seen a physical therapist know this to be true, with 79% believing that physical therapy can be a viable alternative to surgery.

·        Myth: Any health care professional can perform physical therapy.

•  Fact: Although the survey found that 42% of consumers are aware that physical therapy can be performed only by a licensed physical therapist, 37% still believe that other health care professionals can provide physical therapy. While physical therapists and other health care professionals may perform some treatments that seem similar, physical therapy can be provided only by licensed physical therapists.

·        Myth: Physiotherapy is for bone- setting                                                       

• Fact: When there is need for bone reduction (bone- setting) as a result of fracture, dislocation etc; the person is first being evaluated and managed by Orthopaedic surgeons through the use of POP, different kinds of surgeries depending on type of injury. Physios usually come in after the reduction has taken place to help prevent common complications that occur with bone(s) reduction like stiffness, muscle weakness, reduction in muscle size etc 

PS: Some texts gotten from apta.org

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Thanks for reading,

Adesola Adebowale, PT

askthephysiotherapist@gmail.com