How to Tell If Your Physiotherapy Sessions Are Paying Off

Physiotherapy can help manage pain, improve movement and function, and prevent further injury. But how do you know if your physio sessions are actually working? Here are a few signs that indicate your physiotherapy is paying off.

You're Feeling Less Pain 

Among the most obvious signs that physiotherapy is working is if you're feeling less pain. If you were in a lot of pain before starting physiotherapy and now you're feeling better, it's a good sign that the treatments are working.

Of course, you may still feel some pain during or after your physiotherapy sessions. This is normal and is often due to the fact that your body is adjusting to the new movement patterns you're learning.

You might also notice that your pain is worse on some days than others. This is also normal and is often due to how active you've been that day, how much stress you're under, or what kind of sleep you got the night before.

But overall, if you feel like your pain is manageable and is gradually getting better, it means that physiotherapy is helping you to recover. You can talk to your physiotherapist about ways to manage your pain on days when it's worse.

You Have Improved Your Range of Motion

Another sign that physiotherapy is working is if you have a better range of motion in the affected area. For example, suppose you were dealing with a shoulder injury. You might find that you can raise your arm higher or rotate it further than you could before starting physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy treatment helps stretch and strengthen the muscles and tissues around the joints, which in turn improves your range of motion. Also, as your range of motion improves, you'll likely find that you can handle more activities and movements than you could before.

This is why it's important to do the exercises and stretches that your physiotherapist gives you. Even if you're not feeling pain, these exercises are still important for improving your range of motion and preventing further injury.

For instance, say you recently had surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). You need to do physiotherapy exercises to regain your range of motion and prevent the joint from stiffening up. Even if the exercises are challenging or painful, stick with them to get the full benefit of physiotherapy. Failure to do so could lead to a loss of range of motion and an increased risk of re-injury.

These are just a few signs that indicate your physiotherapy is working. If you're feeling less pain and have a better range of motion, it's a good indication that the physiotherapy treatment is helping you to recover. Remember to stick with the exercises and stretches that your physiotherapist gives you to recover fully and prevent further injury.