Here are few things you might have experienced in treatment
What precautions should we take after Physiotherapy Treatment to avoid common side effects of Physiotherapy
1. Drink plenty of water
We usually advise this after exercise based treatments, such as hydrotherapy or an exercise class, to help restore hydration and improve recovery times. Your muscles need hydration to help them recover after exertion, so be sure to drink lots of water when you get home from your physio appointment.
2. Exercise
Physiotherapy appointments are usually for 1/2 hour . Further exercise suggested by the Physio will assist in reducing the need for ongoing treatment as well as provide pain relief between treatments. Some conditions will not resolve well without retraining the muscles involved to fire in the correct pattern and with the correct strength in the muscle groups. Generally, we can tell if the exercises haven’t been done, however we understand that clients will often need a few treatments to remember to correctly perform an exercise. You won’t be in trouble for not doing the exercise, we simply go over them again and re-educate the benefits of doing a home program.
Stay active between appointments by doing the exercises your physiotherapist assigns you, as well as other gentle movements like stretching and walking. If you move your body regularly, physiotherapy won’t come as a shock, and you’ll experience less pain and fatigue afterward.
3. Take note of unusual pain
Notify the Physiotherapist if pain is more severe than expected. It can be normal to experience some pain after treatment, however it usually settles after 24-48 hours, As we mentioned above, some pain and tenderness are typical after physiotherapy. But if you’re usually a bit sore and this time you’re in agony, be sure to let your physiotherapist know, and contact your physician if needed.
4. Follow every advice from your Physiotherapist
• Use hot/cold packs where required.
• Rest if necessary
Our professional advice is generally given to expediate the recovery time frames and to avoid any further damage to the injured area.
Injuries and post-surgical patients can further damage the area if they do not adhere to the advice given.
If your therapist suggests you do something, there’s a reason for it. Whether they advise you to drink more water, stretch more often, use an ice pack or hot compress, or get more rest, it’s because they think it will help you feel better.
Common Side Effects of Physiotherapy
Potential side effects of physiotherapy range from the physical to the emotional and may be mild or more intense. Here’s a rundown of some of the most common ones.
Pain
In the course of treating your injury or condition, your physiotherapist may need to move your body (or ask you to move it) in ways that cause you some pain, either during or after the session. And the further you get into your treatment plan, the more pain you may experience, as you’re able to work harder. Your therapist can recommend pain relief options and help you determine how much pain is normal.
Fatigue
Physiotherapy is hard work for your body! You’re asking it to do things it may not want to do, like stretch to its full range of motion or bear more weight or activity than it’s used to. So, don’t be concerned if you feel quite tired after a physio appointment. Just allow yourself time to rest and recover.
Muscle Soreness
It is completely normal to be sore after a treatment, or even have a flare-up temporarily after. We are working on injured muscles/joints, therefore, it’s normal to experience slightly more soreness and pain after treatment, or experience more DOMs.
Anxiety
Being in pain can cause anxiety and so can anticipating pain. A qualified physiotherapist will discuss your treatment with you openly and patiently, so you understand what’s going to happen and have a clear idea of why they are asking you to do various movements and exercises, which may ease your feelings of anxiety.
Swelling
Swelling can be your body’s response to challenging movements or exertions, so you may notice some swelling in the areas of your body that were treated during your session. Talk to your therapist about ways to address it (such as alternating hot and cold packs).
Tenderness
Parts of your body that have been worked on by a physiotherapist or a machine (like a TENS or ultrasound) may feel tender to the touch after your appointment. If you’re concerned, speak with your therapist before your next session.
Psycho-Emotional Issues
Physiotherapy can improve your overall well-being, but it can also be stressful: You may resent or feel upset about the time it takes from your schedule, the slow progress of your recovery, or any setbacks you experience. If you feel upset as a result of your physio treatments, talk to your doctor or therapist about seeing a counsellor, or other coping strategies.