Do I Need a Physio, or Will My Injury Heal by Itself?
You've hurt yourself. It's sore. And now you're wondering: "Do I actually need to see a physio, or will this just get better on its own?" It's a very reasonable question. And the honest answer is:
Sometimes, it will. Not every ache, pain or minor injury needs physiotherapy. Your body is very good at adapting and recovering, and many minor muscle, joint and tendon problems improve with time, sensible activity and a gradual return to normal movement. Most episodes of low back pain, for example, get better within a few weeks.
But there are also times when getting assessed can help, and a few situations where you need a doctor rather than a physio. Here's how to tell the difference.
When is it reasonable to wait?
If you've had a minor injury and your symptoms are already improving, you may not need treatment at all. It's usually reasonable to keep an eye on things if:
your pain is gradually easing
you can keep moving
day-to-day activities are mostly manageable
things aren't getting worse
you're slowly getting back to your normal activities.
The important word is improving. Not necessarily fast, and not in a straight line, but heading in the right direction.
How long should I give it?
Every injury is different, but as a rough guide:
Minor strains and niggles: if it isn't clearly improving after a week or two, it's worth getting it checked.
Back pain: most people improve within a few weeks. If you're not recovering, get assessed.
Anything that's getting worse rather than better: don't wait. Get it assessed.
Anything that is impacting your ability to to day to day activities, work, drive, sleep, sports, get it assessed.
When should I see a physio?
Consider getting assessed if any of these sound familiar. Your pain isn't improving
If you've given it a reasonable amount of time and nothing is changing, an assessment can help work out what's keeping your symptoms around.
You're struggling to move normally If your movement has noticeably changed, or you're avoiding certain movements because they hurt, a physio can assess what's going on and help you work towards moving normally again.
You can't get back to what you normally do. Maybe you can walk, but you can't run. Maybe you can lift light weights, but not get back to the gym properly. Maybe your shoulder feels fine until you reach overhead. This is where physiotherapy is often most useful: helping you go from feeling better to actually doing better.
The injury keeps coming back. If the same problem keeps returning, there's usually more to look at than waiting for the pain to go away again. Strength, workload, technique, training habits and recovery may all play a part.
You're not sure what you've injured. You don't need a diagnosis before you see a physio. Working that out is part of what the assessment is for, including whether physiotherapy is the right fit or whether you'd be better off seeing someone else.
Do I need a referral to see a physio?
No. In Australia you can book directly with a physiotherapist without a GP referral.
Some funding arrangements, such as certain Medicare plans and workers' compensation or third-party claims, have their own referral or paperwork requirements. If that applies to you, check with us when you book.
When should I see a doctor instead?
Some symptoms need medical care rather than a physio appointment.
Go to an emergency department or call 000 if you have:
new difficulty passing urine, or loss of bladder or bowel control
numbness around your genitals, buttocks or inner thighs
leg weakness or numbness that's quickly getting worse
a significant injury such as a bad fall or car accident, an obviously deformed joint or limb, or you can't put any weight through it
calf pain or swelling together with chest pain or shortness of breath.
See your GP promptly if you have:
back or neck pain with fever, or you feel generally unwell
new pain with a history of cancer or unexplained weight loss
severe, constant pain that doesn't ease with rest or changing position, especially at night
a hot, red, swollen joint
calf swelling or tenderness after an injury, surgery or long travel.
If you're not sure how urgent something is, you can call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice.
So… do you actually need a physio?
Maybe. Maybe not. And that's okay.
The point of an assessment isn't to convince you that you need endless treatment. It's to understand what's happening and work out what you actually need. Sometimes that's reassurance and a few simple things to work on yourself. Sometimes it's a structured rehab program. And sometimes it's a referral to another health professional.
Good physiotherapy is about helping you move forward and meeting you where you are and helping you to achieve your goals
Not sure what to do with your injury?
If your injury isn't settling, keeps coming back, or is stopping you from doing the things you want to do, a physiotherapy assessment can help you work out what's going on.
Movement Theory provides physiotherapy in Adelaide with a focus on understanding your problem, building your capacity, and helping you work towards getting back to what you love.
[Book an assessment →]
References
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard: Guide for consumers. 2022.
Dubois B, Esculier JF. Soft-tissue injuries simply need PEACE and LOVE. Br J Sports Med. 2020;54(2):72–73.
