Visiting a physiotherapist for simple body aches, strains, and pains is not something most patients think about. After all, most people expect these issues to go away and assume that it is only temporary. In some of these cases, yes. A recent minor injury might heal by itself, or simple lifestyle changes might solve the problem.
However, pain is your brain’s way of telling something isn’t quite right. Choosing to ignore pain and leaving it unaddressed is a potential recipe for long-term chronic problems. So how do you know when you can just solve an issue on your own and when you should make an appointment at our Orchard Physiotherapy Centre? Well there are a few warning signs people can take note of when deciding to visit a physiotherapist.
1) Joint stiffness following surgery
Muscles surrounding the surgical site can often become tight post-surgery, which leads to joint stiffness and a build-up of scar tissue. Hence, physiotherapy is needed to help you regain your full strength, flexibility and function.
Apart from exercise programmes that aid you in regaining mobility and strength, physiotherapists will also utilise their expert hands to decrease muscle spasms and break down the scar tissue to allow your joint to move freely.
This rehabilitation process is crucial so you can get back to doing what you love and enjoy – do not hesitate to visit a physiotherapy clinic near you following surgery to speed up the healing and get back on your feet as soon as possible.
2) Chronic pain
If you’ve lightly stubbed your toe against your desk, you probably won’t need to see your physiotherapist. But chronic long-term pain in areas like your back, neck, joints, and shoulders could be a sign that you need some professional help.
Likely caused by poor posture or muscle weakness, chronic pain in these areas can be treated with a combination of stretching exercises, gentle physical therapy via massages, and lifestyle changes.
3) You’ve recently recovered from an injury
If you’ve recently recovered from an injury or are currently recovering, it’s important to monitor how your body feels and reacts to different movements. If you find that you’re in pain for a lot longer than you should be, or your injury is not healing on schedule, it can be cause for concern.
Sometimes injuries might need further rehabilitative treatment to help you on the road to recovery. Strengthening the muscles around the injured area might also help your body compensate for the muscle weakness.
For physiotherapists, helping patients recover from injuries is their bread and butter. They are the experts in this field, and if you find that your recovery phase is not on track, it might be useful to seek their advice at a physio clinic in Singapore.
4) You’re experiencing difficulty with mobility
Should you feel like your body isn’t as flexible or moving about isn’t as easy as before, it may be beneficial to visit a physiotherapist early. As we age, our bodies naturally get stiffer. This puts us at risk of getting hurt as even simple movements can cause strain on our bodies when our muscles and joints aren’t cooperating.
Going to a physiotherapist when you notice the beginning signs of declining flexibility can help stave off physical decline and ensure that your mobility isn’t as affected as you get older.
Visiting a physiotherapy clinic for the first time might seem like a dramatic and intimidating experience. But it really doesn’t have to be. If you notice the warning signs listed above, make sure to let your physiotherapist know about the issues you are facing. The more they know about the problems you have, the better they are positioned to help you.
Have questions about the cost of physiotherapy in Singapore? Contact us today for a consultation and make an appointment at one of our clinics.