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From superstars to sportspersons, including the just married captain of the Indian cricket team, everyone has used physiotherapy to help with pain relief.
But physiotherapy is not just for celebrities, says Shruti Bangera.
The lifestyle people follow today -- despite its many perks -- takes a toll on their bodies.
There are many who complain of back pain, knee pain and neck strain due to their round-the-clock work schedules and crazy deadlines.
To counter the pain, people usually buy ointments, oils and pain killers. Most of them would not think of undergoing physiotherapy unless it's advised by a doctor.
Many times, we are unable to gauge the extent of the damage that some pain or injury has caused our body.
It's therefore important to increase our understanding about the need for physiotherapy.
What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is the healing of an injury, disease or deformity by physical methods such as heat treatment, soft tissue mobilisation (muscle relaxation) and exercise, rather than by surgery or drugs.
People need to understand why they need to reduce their dependence on painkillers.
The primary side-effect of any medicine is that, when consumed regularly, the body starts building resistance against it. It also has an adverse effect on the internal organs.
Physiotherapy is also a great stress buster. It not only cures pain, but also treats its root cause in 90 per cent of the cases.
What you must know
An important question to address is whether a person should just let the body heal by itself or use physiotherapy for relief.
Although the human body can heal on its own with time, straining the body when a person is in pain can cause more harm.
It will also make the pain stay for longer, lead to tightness and stiffness in adjoining muscles and joints. This can restrict movement.
There are also ailments that take longer to heal such as post-surgery pains.
Here's when your injury needs physiotherapy
If you feel that the pain is constant, even if it is low intensity, there are chances that it won't go away on its own.
If pain prolongs over three days, it's a good idea to consult your doctor and see if you need physiotherapy.
Although many people try to ignore slight sensations, chances are that something may not be right.
If you feel you are walking, bending differently, you might need physiotherapy.
Sometimes, a specific movement can re-activate the pain. This needs medical attention.
It's imperative to understand and ensure that your injuries are healing within a stipulated time and do not linger on.
The more you wait to get it treated, the harder it will become to resolve the problem.
For those of you who have been putting off a consultation, it is better to get an appointment at the earliest.
Shruti Bangera is senior SME, physiotherapy, Portea Medical.
