Introduction
The activity I chose for this blog post was to sit down and follow a roughly one-hour physiotherapy exercise routine. Personally, I already have some experience with physiotherapy since I have scoliosis and other back-related issues from birth. However, I’ve only ever done physiotherapy sporadically, and I know how challenging it can be to stick to an exercise routine. By doing this, I wanted to explore how exercises designed for a specific issue are structured and gain more insight into the experience.
My Experience as a Patient
The internet provides no shortage of training and exercise videos. However, picking the right one to address your specific problems can be tricky. Exercise is generally regarded as beneficial, but it’s not always easy to determine which exercises are most effective or appropriate for your condition. These questions often go unanswered, especially for someone searching for self-guided resources.
I decided to focus on exercises for lower back pain. Many of these were similar to those prescribed to me during physiotherapy for my scoliosis. Physical therapy for back pain typically has the following goals:
- Decrease painful symptoms.
- Improve lower back function in everyday life.
- Increase the spine’s flexibility and range of motion.
- Formulate a maintenance program to prevent recurring back problems.
While I wasn’t committing to a full program, I wanted to take this one-time session seriously, as understanding exercise structures could be valuable for my thesis if I choose to explore this topic further.
Most exercises weren’t particularly difficult for me since I’m not dealing with acute back pain. However, I noticed how stiff my lower back was and occasionally opted for easier variations, even when I didn’t intend to. This highlights a common issue: patients might attempt exercises beyond their current ability level to avoid feeling weak. This could lead to improper form or even injury.
Interestingly, some sources I consulted offered progressive variations of the same exercises, making them harder or easier based on a patient’s skill level. This ties into the concept of progressive difficulty, or progressive overload, a principle widely used in bodybuilding. It involves gradually increasing exercise intensity—whether by adding weight, repetitions, or speed—to stimulate muscle growth and improve strength. This principle applies to therapy as well, as patients need to consistently challenge their limits to make meaningful progress.
I found myself fully focused on performing the exercises correctly, which made the time pass quickly. However, I can see how they might become boring for someone more familiar with them. From my own experience, the hardest part is simply starting the routine. Once I begin, performing the exercises isn’t as difficult—but overcoming that initial lack of motivation is a challenge in itself.
After finishing the session, I felt quite exhausted and experienced some delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) the next day. This is a normal response to physical exertion, though it can indicate excessive stress if it becomes severe. While I didn’t feel any real pain during the exercises, I recognize that pain is a possible factor in physiotherapy, especially for patients with serious conditions. It’s crucial to balance pushing through discomfort with avoiding harm. Exercising with mild pain can be safe but should always be approached with caution.
Conclusion
Although I only performed a single one-hour exercise session rather than committing to a full regimen, the experience highlighted key aspects of physiotherapy. Effective programs typically include a combination of strengthening, mobilizing, and stretching exercises tailored to the patient’s specific needs. These routines are often structured with progressive difficulty to ensure sustained improvement over time.
I also realized the importance of accessibility and motivation in physiotherapy. For patients, starting and sticking to a routine can be more challenging than performing the exercises themselves. Providing clear guidance, a sense of progression, and some form of feedback—whether through a therapist or an engaging program—can significantly impact adherence and results.
This brief experiment gave me a greater appreciation for the effort required in physiotherapy, not only from the practitioner’s perspective but also from the patient’s. It reinforced the idea that effective therapy is not just about performing exercises—it’s about creating a sustainable, personalized plan that addresses physical and motivational challenges alike.
Links
- https://www.physio.co.uk/treatments/physiotherapy/exercise-programmes.php
- https://wibbi.com
- https://responsephysio.com/exercises/hip-pain-exercise/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_overload
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRxf9PdnxgA
- https://physioworks.com.au/treatment/sports-injury-physiotherapy/exercise-programs/
- https://www.physiotherapyexercises.com/home/galleryhttps://www.csp.org.uk/public-patient/rehabilitation-exercises
- https://benchmarkphysio.com.au/physiotherapy-exercises-for-lower-back-pain/
Exercise reference:
