Our bodies are very complex, and many outside factors can affect our physical well-being. While there can be many signs that it is time to make a physiotherapy appointment, here are a few common ones to watch out for:
1. You have been experiencing ongoing pain
Continuous pain in a specific area of your body can mean many things, especially if it has been there for an extended period of time. If you have been waiting a while for it to go away on its own and it hasn't, it probably won't without help.
2. Pain in new areas
Pain in a new area you have not experienced before indicates that it is time to see your doctor or physiotherapist. Do not let it get worse; seek treatment early, make sure you are headed in the right direction for the best outcome. Get help with what you can and cannot do while the injury is healing, make you are not at risk for unwanted complications , and get back to your active life as fast as you can.
3. Difficultly with everyday tasks
This may be caused by a lack of mobility, challenges with balance, pain, or issues around strength in specific areas of the body. If you are experiencing discomfort or other physical challenges that are preventing you from doing the things that you were able to do before, then it's time to see a physiotherapist.
4. Lower back pain
Lower back pain is not normal and should not be experienced on a daily basis. There can be many causes for this discomfort, such as posture issues, structural problems, or altered mechanics in the spine or an adjacent joint . Whatever the potential reason, if you are experiencing back pain, it may be time to see your physiotherapist.
5. A history of recurring injuries
Recurring injuries can be caused by overtraining, improper form, mechanical imbalance, or may be due to an underlying problem with other tissues in body such as chronic tightness, weakness or instability. Getting checked out by a physiotherapist can help ensure proper recovery and help prevent it from happening again.
As we get closer to summer in Edmonton and the increased activity that comes along with it, the key is to listen to your body and seek help when needed!
