From car repairs to plumbing problems, people are now trying their hands at many things that used to be left almost exclusively to professionals. With so many do-it-yourself resources available, people can quickly learn how to perform tasks that they otherwise may not have even considered. Just pull up a step-by-step walkthrough online, or watch a YouTube or TikTok video.
It’s not always necessary to seek out professional help these days. Of course, there are downsides to this. Your solution may not be as simple as the video made it look. Or maybe the problem you have is not identical to the problem the video addresses. In fact, you may have diagnosed the problem wrong in the first place, and now you’re doing work that is not only unproductive but potentially counterproductive.
This is also true when it comes to DIY physical therapy. There are many resources available, including videos and fitness apps, that can teach you stretches and exercises you can use to manage pain and treat injuries at home, and many times this may be a great option for you. Often, though, you may be doing more harm than good, and you would be better served to seek out a professional physical therapist.
The Benefits of DIY Physical Therapy
As with most other DIY tasks, performing your own physical therapy will be more cost-effective than getting professional help. It’s also much more convenient to just stay at home and manage your pain on your own time. When you consider the many resources available, from massage guns and resistance bands to hours of free videos available online, DIY therapy will be a very appealing option for treating minor injuries, general stiffness or muscle soreness.
If you are able to perform these tasks at home on your own schedule, you can avoid the inconvenience of finding a competent therapist and calling to make an appointment. You don’t have to worry about taking time off work or rescheduling your life around that appointment. You don’t have to worry about travelling to the therapy clinic. You don’t have to worry about any of that when you do-it-yourself. You may, however, have some other things to worry about.
The Dangers of DIY Physical Therapy
What if you have a condition that’s hard to diagnose without a professional evaluation? If you have a herniated disk or a ligament tear and you treat it like it’s just a little pain you need to deal with, you run the risk of exacerbating the injury or injuring something else in the process. An incorrect diagnosis can lead you to more damage and more pain, and then still needing to seek out professional help.
It’s also very easy to perform an exercise incorrectly. If the technique is explained poorly, hard to understand, or your pain prevents you from doing it correctly, you’re in danger of making your injury worse or causing an additional injury.
If you are fortunate enough to make the correct diagnosis and perform the correct exercises, there are situations that should indicate to you that a professional evaluation is your best option. Some examples include:
- Persistent pain or worsening symptoms
- Limited range of motion affecting your daily activities
- Recurring injuries despite self-treatment
- Numbness, tingling, or sharp pain
Any of these situations should be enough to get you off YouTube and onto a phone call with your local physical therapist’s office.
The Benefits of Seeing a Professional Physical Therapist
While DIY solutions are great in some cases, you may want to approach dealing with your body a bit differently than you approach dealing with your car or the pipes under your sink. Making a mistake can cost you more than money. It can permanently impact your quality of life. This is one of many reasons you should consider reaching out to a professional physical therapist. Others include:
- An accurate diagnosis: Identify the root cause of your pain rather than just blindly treating the symptoms
- Hands-on techniques: A professional therapist can skillfully employ many manual techniques like joint mobilization, soft tissue therapy, and other services with great expertise.
- A personalized treatment plan: Your therapist can create a customized exercise program tailored to your diagnosis, age, and fitness level.
- Injury prevention and long-term recovery: Doing physical therapy with expert guidance can greatly decrease the risk of re-injury and greatly increase your prospects for long-term recovery.
If you decide to treat your pain or injury on your own, be sure to always listen to your body. If the pain persists or worsens, see a physical therapist. If you have visible swelling or experience numbness or tingling, see a physical therapist.
It may be tempting to DIY, but when it comes to your health it’s best to err on the side of caution. If you are trying to recover from pain or injury, a professional physical therapist is always ready to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out.
