Do treatments hurt?

Do treatments hurt?

If you exercise regularly, you’re likely familiar with the concept of “good” pain (such as muscles burning from fatigue) and “bad” pain (such as a sharp, shooting pain in your joint). Physiotherapy operates in much the same way.

While our physiotherapists are not purposefully trying to hurt you, there may be times when a treatment triggers a temporary pain response. But like a fatigued muscle, that pain response is a normal part of the process. A bit of pain now will lead to improved movement in the long term.

It’s especially important to keep the concept of normal versus abnormal pain in mind if you’re recovering from surgery. You’ll likely experience some pain as you work to restore strength and range of motion in your recuperating muscles–but this type of pain will ultimately reduce your overall pain levels and promote your mobility.

Similarly, you may have begun avoiding specific movements if you’re experiencing imbalances or impairments in your musculoskeletal system. As you start to perform those movements again, you may experience some initial discomfort.

It’s vital that you communicate any pain or other sensations you experience during treatment to your physiotherapist. This information helps us fully understand your progress and allows us to make necessary adjustments or other modifications.