Injured, physio or physical therapist

Lukeskyrunner

I went back to the gym 2 weeks ago after a long layoff, I wasn't injured just lazy. When I went back I was surprised to discover I had an injury on my left shoulder . My shoulder feels fine in most circumstances but when I do bench or military press there's a lot of pain in my left shoulder. The weird thing I don't remember injuring it. I can do most other exercises, side raises, bent over raise, pull ups, tricep push downs and bicep curls are all fine and don't cause any pain but when I try and do presses I immediately have to stop. I have had 2 sessions with a chiropractor and he seems to think I have a traped nerve in my neck , however I am wondering should I see a physio or physical therapist instead, how are the 2 different and which would be better?

jlm29

Lukeskyrunner wrote: »

I went back to the gym 2 weeks ago after a long layoff, I wasn't injured just lazy. When I went back I was surprised to discover I had an injury on my left shoulder . My shoulder feels fine in most circumstances but when I do bench or military press there's a lot of pain in my left shoulder. The weird thing I don't remember injuring it. I can do most other exercises, side raises, bent over raise, pull ups, tricep push downs and bicep curls are all fine and don't cause any pain but when I try and do presses I immediately have to stop. I have had 2 sessions with a chiropractor and he seems to think I have a traped nerve in my neck , however I am wondering should I see a physio or physical therapist instead, how are the 2 different and which would be better?

A chartered Physio will have been to college, done a four year degree and should have an in depth knowledge of anatomy and the relevant experience to assess and treat a musculoskeletal injury. They will also have insurance. The physical therapist may have a decent qualification, and may be very well equipped to treat your injury and may be very experienced. But they might also have done a weekend course, and practised a bit of rubbing out on their local football team. There's a lot of dodgeballs calling themselves physical therapists, the titles of Physio and physical therapist aren't protected, so anyone who wants can call themselves one. If I were you, I would find a chartered physio, or at the very least get a recommendation from someone local

arybvtcw0eolkf

Without question I'd be seeing a physiotherapist and NOT a physical therapist.

As the above poster said, one has a university degree (with experience in a teaching hospital). the physical therapist has done a part time course.

Danye

Nova Warm Rainfall wrote: »

Without question I'd be seeing a physiotherapist and NOT a physical therapist.

As the above poster said, one has a university degree (with experience in a teaching hospital). the physical therapist has done a part time course.

I went to at least 2 previous physios who were terrible.

I now go to a physical therapist who is fantastic, is constantly learning and improving and who works with a huge variety of people from running clubs, MMA clubs, Soccer clubs, Boxers and everything in between.

OP, try to get a recommendation from somebody you know. Where are you located? Maybe somebody on boards could help?

roseybear

Although the physical therapy degree is part time it is still a 3 year degree. I started that course while waiting to be accepted into a Physiotherapy degree and would have no problem referring anyone to a physical therapist when it comes to musculoskeletal injuries. Once they were actually a physical therapist and not a sports, remedial or any other therapist saying they are a physical therapist. If you are unsure just check are the affiliated with the Irish Association of Physcial Therapy (IAPT), then you'll know if they are a physical therapist or not.

calfmuscle

I'm a chartered physiotherapist and after working for a number of years and seeing the damage some under qualified "therapists' have done, I'd only go chartered. I do feel sorry for some therapists who really work hard and do a good job. But at the end of the day I think if you are going to charge a premium price you owe it to your clients to have the best education and provide the best service. Although it might be hard, if your working at a physical therapist there is no reason you can't do the full degree and become chartered.

arybvtcw0eolkf

roseybear wrote: »

Although the physical therapy degree is part time it is still a 3 year degree. I started that course while waiting to be accepted into a Physiotherapy degree and would have no problem referring anyone to a physical therapist when it comes to musculoskeletal injuries. Once they were actually a physical therapist and not a sports, remedial or any other therapist saying they are a physical therapist. If you are unsure just check are the affiliated with the Irish Association of Physcial Therapy (IAPT), then you'll know if they are a physical therapist or not.

All good advice.

I know the lad Danye is talking about, he's a mate of mine and very experienced.

But I've been competitive in martial arts over twenty years, I've seen some qwacks trying to save a few bob who've done nothing but take my money.

I discovered a physio a number of years back who has kept me competitive.

In Feb I suffered a nasty pec tear, a doctor diagnosed me with a rotator cuff injury (I could write a book on it from here). I pleaded and pleaded with the doc to have a scan, he actually laughed!. Despite me telling him and showing him almost forcefully that I'd bruising down my bicep and across my chest he laughed and insisted I was panicking and that a scan would only show up a tiny rotator cuff injury!.

By the time I'd seen my physio it was too late for surgery. Now I've got a complete deformity in my left pec and what I can only describe as a hole or dent near my arm pit.

Initially I thought I'd be out of competition for life (given my age) and certainly out of training for the rest of the year.

But my physio got me back in competition by Oct, when I won gold in the Irish Open (International) Judo champions.

I could go on, and I'm raging I never kept a diary of my injury and rehab. But I wouldn't take a chance with anyone but a chartered physiotherapist. When someone comes along who is training and competing as long as I have who can give an equal comparison using physical therapists etc I just might sit up and listen then.

Until then I'll draw on my own 25+ years experience.

People can go where they like of course, personally and through experience I just don't take a chance anymore.

TheAnalyst_

Danye wrote: »

Nova Warm Rainfall wrote: »

Without question I'd be seeing a physiotherapist and NOT a physical therapist.

As the above poster said, one has a university degree (with experience in a teaching hospital). the physical therapist has done a part time course.

I went to at least 2 previous physios who were terrible.

I now go to a physical therapist who is fantastic, is constantly learning and improving and who works with a huge variety of people from running clubs, MMA clubs, Soccer clubs, Boxers and everything in between.

OP, try to get a recommendation from somebody you know. Where are you located? Maybe somebody on boards could help?

As a rule though why go to the far less qualified person?

Dtp1979

Nova Warm Rainfall wrote: »

All good advice.

I know the lad Danye is talking about, he's a mate of mine and very experienced.

But I've been competitive in martial arts over twenty years, I've seen some qwacks trying to save a few bob who've done nothing but take my money.

I discovered a physio a number of years back who has kept me competitive.

In Feb I suffered a nasty pec tear, a doctor diagnosed me with a rotator cuff injury (I could write a book on it from here). I pleaded and pleaded with the doc to have a scan, he actually laughed!. Despite me telling him and showing him almost forcefully that I'd bruising down my bicep and across my chest he laughed and insisted I was panicking and that a scan would only show up a tiny rotator cuff injury!.

By the time I'd seen my physio it was too late for surgery. Now I've got a complete deformity in my left pec and what I can only describe as a hole or dent near my arm pit.

Initially I thought I'd be out of competition for life (given my age) and certainly out of training for the rest of the year.

But my physio got me back in competition by Oct, when I won gold in the Irish Open (International) Judo champions.

I could go on, and I'm raging I never kept a diary of my injury and rehab. But I wouldn't take a chance with anyone but a chartered physiotherapist. When someone comes along who is training and competing as long as I have who can give an equal comparison using physical therapists etc I just might sit up and listen then.

Until then I'll draw on my own 25+ years experience.

People can go where they like of course, personally and through experience I just don't take a chance anymore.

Any chance you could pm me his/her number ?

Danye

TheAnalyst_ wrote: »

As a rule though why go to the far less qualified person?

It's not a rule. I was having trouble with an injury for quite some time and I had this person recommended to me. I tried him and he was fantastic.

I'm not saying that you should pick a physical therapist over a chartered physio or vice versa. I just wanted to make the point there are some brilliant physical therapists out there they may be able to help. They (The good ones) shouldn't be completely ruled out or overlooked.

Unpossible

I would go to a physiotherapist, but be prepared to try more than one. I have been to a few over the years and I can tell after a few sessions if its worth sticking around. For example, I'm a big believer in solving the problem through exercises. I had a guy one time who came highly recommended, but 3-4 sessions in all he was doing was giving deep massages and when I asked if there will be rehabilitation exercises he told me I wasn't ready and it would take a few weeks. So I promptly told him I had enough and switched to someone else who ended up being way better.

Lukeskyrunner

I wonder if the issue can be fixed by myself and is a result of muscle imbalances , throughout the years my main focus has been on chest presses and shoulder military presses. I have neglected my back muscles and the side and rear delts a lot so I am wondering if my current injury has manifested due to this

Unpossible

Lukeskyrunner wrote: »

I wonder if the issue can be fixed by myself and is a result of muscle imbalances , throughout the years my main focus has been on chest presses and shoulder military presses. I have neglected my back muscles and the side and rear delts a lot so I am wondering if my current injury has manifested due to this

IMO this is exactly what a good physio will tell you, whether its an imbalance or a tear or something else.

Alf Veedersane

Lukeskyrunner wrote: »

I wonder if the issue can be fixed by myself and is a result of muscle imbalances , throughout the years my main focus has been on chest presses and shoulder military presses. I have neglected my back muscles and the side and rear delts a lot so I am wondering if my current injury has manifested due to this

Well, you could p*ss around guessing at how you might fix it and end up no better off.

Or you could look for a recommendation and get to the root of the problem and work in fixing it sooner rather than later.

Lukeskyrunner

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Well, you could p*ss around guessing at how you might fix it and end up no better off.

Or you could look for a recommendation and get to the root of the problem and work in fixing it sooner rather than later.

What makes you think I'm not? I'm currently seeing a chiropractor and he seems to think the issue is in my neck but he never assessed my range of motion with my right arm in relation to my should which seems strange

Alf Veedersane

Lukeskyrunner wrote: »

What makes you think I'm not? I'm currently seeing a chiropractor and he seems to think the issue is in my neck but he never assessed my range of motion with my right arm in relation to my should which seems strange

What makes me think you're not is that you asked.

Not trying to be smart but if you think the correct treatment lies elsewhere then someone cam give you a recommendation for someone to help in an area that suits.

arybvtcw0eolkf

roseybear wrote: »

Once they were actually a physical therapist and not a sports, remedial or any other therapist saying they are a physical therapist. If you are unsure just check are the affiliated with the Irish Association of Physcial Therapy (IAPT), then you'll know if they are a physical therapist or not.

Just as a matter of interest how do you check that your physical therapist is a member of the IAPT (apart from asking them and having just their word to trust)?.

carav10

Nova Warm Rainfall wrote: »

Just as a matter of interest how do you check that your physical therapist is a member of the IAPT (apart from asking them and having just their word to trust)?.

Have a look at https://www.iapt.ie/directory/

size5

Lukeskyrunner wrote: »

I wonder if the issue can be fixed by myself and is a result of muscle imbalances , throughout the years my main focus has been on chest presses and shoulder military presses. I have neglected my back muscles and the side and rear delts a lot so I am wondering if my current injury has manifested due to this

For me your above quote has hit "the nail on the head", If you go to a physio/Physical therp. they focus on the injured area and rightly so as this is what you came to them with. Get exercises/stretches but for me got minimum improvement.

So done some research and now working with someone to correct posture-and
i though I had good posture!! So now instead of working on doing exercises for my injured shoulder, we re now looking at BOTH shoulders(not just the injured one), my forward head posture, thoracic spine ROM etc. Also looked at below the hips etc

Exercises are more tedious but feeling the benefits and reckon back to pain free lifting in 2 weeks and hopefully no further injuries.

Good physio/physical Therp. needs to look beyond the injury.