Patients of physical therapy often worry that their discomfort will worsen due to treatment. However, as long as you and your physical therapist are in agreement, there should never be any painful or incontinental treatment. The phrase “no pain, no gain” may be familiar to you, but it can lead to a harmful mindset. It also causes people to hesitate or stop physical health changes because they are afraid of the discomfort they may feel.
Interestingly, while it implies that physical therapy can be a traumatic experience, the opposite is true. It's much more likely to worsen injuries and prolong the discomfort and pain you're already feeling if you avoid care at a physical therapy center. One of the main reasons patients give for postponing physical therapy is the fear that the process will cause or exacerbate pain. Other times, patients don't mention the onset or increase of pain after therapy because they think it's a natural part of the healing process.
So, should I feel pain after physical therapy? The answer is yes. The primary goal of physical therapy is to help you recover from your injuries instead of making them worse. Physical therapists monitor your condition very closely to ensure that none of the exercises you are doing in your therapy sessions are further damaging your health in any way. Your therapist will find the fastest route to your recovery by strengthening your muscles and joints while increasing the mobility of the injured area.
However, your safety is always your priority. Some conditions resemble musculoskeletal dysfunction, such as bone cancers, for example. Bone cancer can be very painful and, depending on where it starts, it can mimic a repetitive use injury. Each person's unique experiences, physiology, psychology, injuries, personality, and more will determine how they respond to physical therapy.
But if you experience a level of pain that goes beyond discomfort or pain, you should contact your physical therapist and book an appointment to determine the cause of the pain. This is the same type of beneficial discomfort you may experience after a good workout or new physical activity. If you experience pain, limited range of motion, or other problems after physical therapy, know what to do to address your concerns and make sure you stay on the path to health. However, the reality is that physical therapy is a tool used to improve health and well-being, not to detract from it. If there are no changes in the area of pain or discomfort within two weeks after physical therapy, you may need to be referred to a doctor.
Let's say you're recovering from knee surgery and your therapist is doing exercises to increase your range of motion and strengthen the affected area. When choosing a physical therapist, look for one who has experience in many of the cutting-edge approaches, techniques, and technologies for treating your specific problem.
