DOCTOK

The dangers of skipping professional guidance in physiotherapy

 

“Just do some stretches and all will be fine!” How often have you heard this from friends and family when complaining about a muscle catch or chronic pain? And how tempted you are to take their advice. After all, it saves you time and money. But Arefa Ali a Bengaluru based Physiotherapist has some words of caution. She says, “ Avoiding professional consultation and advice in physiotherapy is like driving blindfolded. There are all chances of hitting a roadblock with the consequences being more serious than realized.”

Radhika Dave a 43-year-old teacher from Mumbai experienced neck and shoulder pain often. However, instead of getting professional help, she preferred watching a few exercises online and getting some relief. “The exercises worked fine for some time, but once I probably stretched too much or did something wrong and I landed up with a severe muscle tear that left me in pain for three months,” says the teacher.

Alisha Khan a 50-year-old salon owner was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in her knees. Since she learned of her condition in the early stages, there was no pain which prompted her not to see a physiotherapist and carry on with her daily routine. The result- Khan eventually developed a nagging pain and is now compelled to consult a physiotherapist for knee strengthening exercises to prevent the condition from worsening.  

Why professional guidance in physiotherapy matters

1- Doing it correctly- Just like in Dave’s case, there are chances that you may be doing the exercises wrong. Online videos offer generalized advice that may not work for everyone and may cause the injury of the condition to worsen along with other complications. A trained and skilled physiotherapist assesses the problem thoroughly and provides a tailor-made exercise regime that works best for us without creating further complications.

2-Identifying the real issue- It is important to go beyond the superficial symptoms like body pain and discomfort and treat the underlying cause of the problem.  There are chances that when you skip professional advice, there may be certain hidden problems that may go unnoticed and may erupt as larger and more severe issues. An experienced physiotherapist goes to the root cause of the issue through a thorough assessment and provides targeted treatment for optimum results.

3- Comprehensive recovery- A skilled physiotherapist helps you recover faster and completely by providing accurate treatment for the problem and preventing relapses. Additionally, they also are equipped to formulate a well-structured treatment plan with definitive and achievable milestones and goals that help you progress at a steady pace rather than overdoing things and setting unachievable goals which lead to frustration in the end.

4-Saving time and money- Mishaps, relapses, and complications due to wrong exercises, overdoing things, and not treating the actual issue means spending more money and resources on the corrective treatment. The cost of that would be higher than consulting a physiotherapist and can sometimes cost you your health which is more valuable than money.

Why do people tend to skip professional guidance in physiotherapy?

Khan the beautician shares a valid concern. According to her, it is a challenge to find a reliable and experienced physiotherapist who can help people overcome their health issues effectively. She expresses her concern over expensive sessions that go on for a long time with no visible results. 

Dave adds that her turn-off to seek professional guidance was to set aside time from her busy schedule and the commute to the physiotherapy center. Moreover, according to her, the timings of the therapy weren’t flexible and clashed with her work hours.

Sukino as a solution

Sukino offers advanced and specialized physiotherapy to ensure a speedy and complete recovery. Our team of skilled, certified, and extremely experienced physiotherapists is committed to delivering responsive therapy services tailored to each patient’s unique needs. They develop individualized care plans based on the patient’s current condition, supported by the latest scientific evidence, and closely collaborate with the treating clinicians, considering the patient’s prognosis, and preferences to formulate a comprehensive plan. 

We offer the service at our meticulously designed centers, at home at your convenience, and online too to save you valuable time and effort. 

Skipping professional help may seem like a good shortcut. But it can cost you your health and well-being in the long term. Investing in professional physiotherapy means fewer complications, steadier progress, and a speedier recovery. So next time you are tempted to do something on your own, pause and weigh the pros and cons and make a wiser decision in favor of your health.