The Right Diagnosis for Your Recovery: Doctors or Physiotherapists?

If you’re experiencing joint or muscle pain or any other physical discomfort, it’s crucial to get yourself checked by a medical professional. Whether you’re seeking to alleviate pain or restore mobility, consulting with a doctor or physiotherapist can help you find the right treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

The good news is you have the option of consulting either a doctor or a physiotherapist. Although both of them are capable of diagnosing your condition, they generally approach it from different perspectives and employ specific diagnostic tools.

Doctors typically focus on the medical aspect of pathology, which means they will assess your symptoms, run tests, and prescribe medication to aid your recovery. However, medications are often used to manage the symptoms and may not explore the root causes of the pain/discomfort. This type of diagnosis is called a medical diagnosis, which is based on the presence or absence of a disease or medical condition.

On the other hand, physiotherapists concentrate on identifying the contributory factors, using manual techniques and prescribing exercise regimens to promote recovery. They employ a functional diagnosis that takes into account bodily movement, function, and response to treatment.

A physiotherapist’s diagnosis also provides recommendations for injury prevention and tailors treatment plans to the patient’s individual needs. Physiotherapists can help patients regain functionality, mobility, range of motion, and movement, enabling them to enjoy daily activities. They can also develop customised exercise programs, employing manual therapy, massage, and hydrotherapy techniques to alleviate pain and facilitate healing. Additionally, they can provide education on proper posture, ergonomics, and lifestyle modifications to prevent future injuries.

Here’s an example: Emily, an office worker, experiences wrist pain and tingling sensations. She visits a doctor who diagnoses her with carpal tunnel syndrome and prescribes medication. However, the medication only provides temporary relief, and Emily’s pain persists. She then visits a physiotherapist who identifies that Emily’s pain is caused by her posture and repetitive movements at work. The physiotherapist develops a treatment plan that includes ergonomic modifications to Emily’s work environment, exercises to strengthen her wrist and hand muscles and manual therapy. After following the treatment plan, Emily’s pain disappears, and she can resume work without discomfort.

While there are key differences in how doctors and physical therapists conduct diagnosis, they can also work together to help patients more effectively and ensure they receive comprehensive care. When patients require specific expertise, doctors will refer them to physiotherapists, while physiotherapists will refer patients to physicians for medication, injections, scans, and other necessary procedures to make sure patients receive comprehensive care. 

In acute cases, some treatments may cause discomfort for patients. However, administering a combination of medication and treatment simultaneously can alleviate discomfort and help patients achieve optimal results

For instance, John, a construction worker, visits a physiotherapist with lower back pain. The physiotherapist identifies that John’s pain is caused by his poor posture and recommends specific exercises and stretches to alleviate the pain. The physiotherapist also provides education on proper posture and ergonomics to prevent future injuries. However, after a few weeks of following the exercise plan, John’s pain persists.  After conducting another diagnosis, the physiotherapist discovers that John’s persistent pain is due to a herniated disc. The physiotherapist suggests that John undergo further scans from a doctor, which confirms the diagnosis and leads to a prescription for medication and a recommendation for surgery. Throughout the recovery process, the physiotherapist works with John to help him regain his mobility and alleviate any post-surgery discomfort.

If you’re experiencing any kind of physical discomfort or pain, don’t hesitate to seek the assistance of a medical professional. Take the necessary steps towards recovery and consult a doctor or physiotherapist to find the right treatment plan. 

At B-Physica, we are here to help you break the pain cycle. Talk to our team to learn more about your condition and the best mode of treatment to help you with your pain.