As the age-old adage goes, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink”
If you’re trying to get in shape, hiring a personal trainer can motivate you to work hard but it can only take you so far; you still need to make your way to the gym to put in the work yourself.
From consistently eating healthy to maintaining discipline to working out on the days when you aren’t feeling your best and ultimately establishing a routine that you follow religiously, each of these elements must co-exist for you to achieve your goal.
Physiotherapy is the same but unfortunately, many – if not most – people, view it in the same light that Christina Aguilera perceived love in 1999: like a genie in a bottle.
Despite wishful thinking, it’s not a passive process where you lie on a table making three wishes while a big blue genie magically grants them for you. The real magic is in your ability to diligently, correctly, and safely perform exercises to build muscle strength, enhance flexibility, improve range of motion, develop balance, and reduce reliance on passive treatment.
Like a personal trainer guides you towards your health goals, a physiotherapist empowers you with valuable tips, strategies, and education on how to perform such exercises so that you are equipped for long-term success even after you have been discharged.
Building Your Toolkit for Success
We all want to be rich, but how many of us are willing to work (hard) for it?
Financial planners can help you understand budgeting and investment strategies, but the knowledge you gain is rendered moot – unless you actively apply what you’ve learned.
So, think of a physiotherapist as a financial planner, and think of your health as your finances.
A qualified in-home physiotherapist can explain how frequently you should be adhering to a routine, prescribing safe and effective exercises as they ultimately provide you with a toolkit that equips you to self-manage after therapy. Not only does this eliminate the need for frequent visits and avoid a perpetual cycle of treatment, but it also allows you to gain confidence in your road to recovery.
Exercise holds paramount importance with respect to the physiotherapy journey, and by emphasizing a collaborative approach where you work closely together with an in-home physiotherapist towards your goals and well-being, you’ll be able to confidently proceed even after your weekly one-hour sessions are complete.
Scientifically speaking, evidence-based medical literature consistently supports the efficacy of exercises in physiotherapy care, as in most cases it proves superior to other treatment modalities such as manual therapy, acupuncture, therapeutic taping, ultrasound, and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) machines.
So, while the idea of lying on a table and magically recovering sounds nice, the real magic lies in building intrinsic muscle strength, flexibility, joint range of motion, balance, and functional mobility.
The Treasure is Closer Than You Think
As someone who invested seven years in education and more years of specializations after that, it is somewhat disheartening to see the evidence say some of the aforementioned modalities are less effective. However, it’s exciting to know we all have the capability within us to improve and reach our goals through the power of exercise. According to a study, a whopping 75% of patients don’t adhere to their prescribed physiotherapy treatment.
Imagine being handed a guide to unlock a chest of well-being, filled with stronger muscles, improved flexibility, and enhanced balance. Yet, three-quarters of treasure seekers decide to take detours or ignore the map altogether, missing out on the golden outcomes waiting at the end of the journey. Just as the success of a treasure hunt hinges on following the map diligently, the effectiveness of physiotherapy relies on the commitment to prescribed exercises for optimal results.
At GRP, our emphasis on exercises is not an attempt to burden you with homework but it is instead rooted in evidence-based practice. We strive to deliver the best possible care, ensuring optimal results for your well-being. This is the message we aim to convey when we work with you – not merely a chore, but a scientifically proven approach to achieve the best outcomes in physiotherapy.
While passive treatments provide a valuable starting point and still have a place in our care model, they should be viewed as supports that pave the way for active interventions. As a physiotherapist, it is my professional stance that the devil’s in the details of active exercise prescription, where the intricacies of overload and specificity make all the difference in unlocking the full potential of physiotherapy treatment. Embracing the synergy between passive and active approaches is the key to not just managing symptoms but achieving a complete and enduring recovery.
In conclusion, physiotherapists aren’t magic genies. But, if your hands reach for your phone to dial 647-370-5162 or complete the intake form or your computer to email hello@getrightphysio.com, we’d be more than happy to help you tap into the magical process of in-home physiotherapy.
1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/2012/09/120924_todays_phrase_horse_to_water.shtm
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz4me7Vwr1w
3. https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Genie
4. https://raccoon.world/blog/why-patients-dont-do-their-exercises-and-how-to-help-them-complete-their-treatment/