Physiotherapy problems are enormously common.

For example:

• 80% of people experience back pain at some point in their lives
• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) is the term used to describe any pain or dysfunction associated with joints, muscles and nerves. MSD’s are the most common reason for patients to keep revisiting their GP
• 60% of people on long term sick leave state a MSD as the cause
• 1 in 4 people are affected by long term problems associated with a MSD* *Department of Health. Musculoskeletal Services Framework. London 2006)

Physiotherapy could be thought of as human engineering. The body is assessed (observed and felt) for any movement dysfunction that could be causing pain, stiffness, instability, weakness and altered function.

Treatment (manual therapy, exercise/self treatment techniques, advice) is then designed to correct the abnormalities found thus restoring pain free movement and function.

Timely (don’t leave it too long!) access to physiotherapy has been shown to reduce time off sick and minimise the chance of a problem becoming a long term issue*.

*(Department of Health. Self-referral pilots to musculoskeletal physiotherapy and the implications for improving access to other services. London 2008)

If your problem has been lingering on for a while, don’t worry – it may just mean that treatment might take a little longer.

Physiotherapy works!