8 Myths About Physiotherapy

 

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1. You need a doctor’s referral to get physiotherapy

FALSE: 
In Ontario, you can see a registered physiotherapist without needing a doctor’s referral. Patients have the ability to book an appointment directly for an assessment and treatment. However, it is known that some extended health insurance companies may request a referral before reimbursing any claims for physiotherapy. If you plan on using private insurance, we strongly advise that you check with your provider to confirm their requirements. Ontarians have had the ability to access physiotherapy without a referral for many years, improving convenience and ensuring that patients can receive timely care for their impairments.

 

2. Physiotherapy is only useful to recover from injuries or after surgery

FALSE:
Physiotherapy extends beyond just rehabilitation and plays a critical role in managing chronic problems, prevention of injury, improving mobility and optimizing performance. Clinics like Cornerstone offer specialized care including vestibular rehabilitation for dizziness, pelvic physiotherapy, long COVID rehab to address post-viral symptoms and metabolic rehabilitation.
Conditions that many patients are not used to saying in the same breath as “physiotherapy”. In fact, physiotherapists arguably have a more impactful role in adverse health prevention, than they do treating existing conditions.

 

3. Physiotherapy is just doing exercises at home

FALSE:
Expertly prescribed exercises are an important part of many appropriate physiotherapy programs. However great physiotherapy should go beyond that. It involves a skilled assessment that identifies the “how, what and why” of a patient’s problem. This allows a physiotherapist to educate their patients on their conditions and provide advice on optimizing recovery and preventing re-occurances. Treatment beyond exercises, can involve hands-on manual care, dry-needling or acupuncture, modalities such as shockwave therapy, taping and bracing. Effective physiotherapy means a highly individualized and evidence-based approach to healing that goes far beyond simple exercise routines.

 

4. Good physiotherapy should be painful

FALSE:
Some patients worry that physiotherapy will be painful, especially if they’ve had previous physiotherapy experiences that were uncomfortable. While techniques like joint mobilization, deep tissue massage, and muscle stretching can cause mild, temporary soreness, physiotherapy is designed to ease pain, not increase it. Treatments should always be tailored to your comfort level, and any pain (similar to post-exercise muscle soreness) is usually short-lived. Make you continually communicate with your physiotherapist to ensure that they make the right adjustments and keep the experience effective and manageable, helping you heal safely and comfortably.

 

5. Physiotherapy always takes a long time to work

FALSE:
Recovery time depends on the specific condition, with some patients seeing improvements almost immediately, while others may need weeks or months for lasting recovery. It’s not uncommon for a vestibular physiotherapy patient or someone with low back pain to walk out of their first physiotherapy visit with almost no symptoms. For the average patient however, consistency is key! i.e. adhering to prescribed exercises, posture corrections, and lifestyle adjustments can significantly speed up progress. While chronic problems often require longer-term management, physiotherapy is structured to restore function as efficiently as possible. The more dedicated you are to your treatment plan, the faster you’ll experience positive changes.

 

6. Once you start physiotherapy, you have to keep going forever

FALSE:
Patients are successfully discharged from Cornerstone Physiotherapy clinics every day. Physiotherapy isn’t a permanent commitment unless ongoing care is needed for a chronic condition. Proper treatment plans should be goal-oriented, time-based with a clear plan, focusing on recovery and restoring function. Once progress is achieved, usually your physiotherapist will provide home exercises and self-care strategies to maintain your results. While a few patients find it beneficial to continue treatment for prevention and optimization,physiotherapy is designed to equip patients with the tools to manage their health independently, not to require endless treatment.

 

7. You can just do physiotherapy at home using Google or ChatGPT

FALSE:
Over the years, our physiotherapists have seen a rising number of patients who book appointments as a result of following bad internet advice. Some patients had even developed injuries that have worsened and subsequently taken much more time to recovery. As mentioned earlier, home exercises are usually just a part of an effective physiotherapy treatment program. But when using exercises, they should be prescribed very specifically for your specific condition, your symptoms and how they uniquely affects your function. An excellent physiotherapist tailors exercises to each individual, considering factors like medical history, movement patterns, and recovery objectives, ensuring a treatment plan that promotes healing and prevents further injury.

 

8. Physio is physio. It doesn’t matter where you go for physiotherapy.

FALSE … AND THIS IS A BIG ONE:
Choosing the right clinic and right physiotherapist can make the difference between a full recovery and ongoing symptoms. Here’s why:

1. Expertise and Specialization – Physiotherapists have different training, experience, philosophy and specialties. Choosing the right clinic and professional ensures you get care tailored to your needs.

2. Clinic Philosophy and Approach – Some clinics emphasize preventative care and long-term recovery, while others focus on short-term pain relief. A well-rounded approach ensures lasting results, not just temporary fixes. A great clinic focuses on evidence-based rehab, rather than the latest fad, or treatments that are applied simply because “that’s how we’ve always done things”.

3. Quality of Care – The time spent with your physiotherapist varies by clinic. Some offer one-on-one sessions with dedicated care, while others may have multiple patients treated at once, affecting personalized attention and outcomes.

4. Patient Experience – Factors such as location, ease of booking, knowledgeable admin staff, online exercise platforms, and clean and comfortable facilities impact your overall experience. A well-managed clinic reflects the effectiveness of the team, including your physiotherapist.

Not all physiotherapy is the same. Choosing a high-quality clinic with well-trained professionals and the right treatment philosophy can significantly impact your recovery, pain relief, and long-term outcomes.