Are you wondering whether you should see a Powerlifting Physio? Powerlifting injuries can be incredibly challenging to understand and assess. This is primarily because powerlifting injuries are generally not acute injuries like everyone would naturally think. Since powerlifters are trained in good movement form, they work hard to build accessory muscle mass and usually don’t 1RM test very often, it’s not that often that a powerlifter will cause an acute injury.

Instead, small changes that a powerlifting physio can pick up can slowly affect the body and load up certain areas. Done repetitively, these minor issues increase loading through certain muscle groups and joints, leading to dysfunction and pain. For example, if a powerlifter has a tight right-sided thoracic spine, tight right pectoral muscles, tight lattisimus dorsi and tight rotator cuff on that side, they can easily use the opposite hand more when benching to drive the bar through and away from the chest, because they are losing strength and range in the right side. This athlete might then develop left-sided pain from overload. So if a physiotherapist assesses and treats the left side, they will ignore why the issue came about, and the left-sided pain will return because the opposite side wasn’t addressed.

Are you wondering can you overdo Physio Exercises? there are specific injuries, for example chronic injuries and long-term muscle weakness where you cannot overdo physio exercises. These issues can benefit from high levels of strengthening and exercise multiple times a day and daily. The muscles incorporated in these injuries and problems need high stimulation and continual reinforcement to operate after long times lying dormant. Examples here can be foot pain, old ankle injuries, weakness in the shoulder from an operation, and biomechanical issues, such as where a person sits all day. Here, they can often strengthen the foot multiple times daily to reinforce new movement patterns and activate dormant muscles in the lower leg.

Are you wondering is it better to see a Doctor or Physiotherapist? The choice between seeing a doctor or a physiotherapist depends on the nature of the health issue and the symptoms experienced by the individual. Doctors are medical professionals who have extensive training in diagnosing and treating a wide range of health conditions. If someone is experiencing severe or persistent symptoms, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or sudden neurological changes, it is crucial to consult a doctor immediately. Doctors can conduct thorough examinations, order diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications if necessary, making them essential for managing severe or acute health conditions.

On the other hand, physiotherapists specialise in physical rehabilitation and can be particularly beneficial for musculoskeletal issues, sports injuries, or chronic pain conditions. Physiotherapists use various techniques, including exercises, manual therapy, dry needling, and cupping to help patients improve their mobility, reduce pain, and enhance overall physical function. They focus on the body's natural healing process and often provide personalised, hands-on treatments tailored to an individual's needs. For patients dealing with conditions such as back pain, joint injuries, or post-surgical recovery, physiotherapy can be a highly effective and non-invasive option.