(A light-hearted look from your friendly physiotherapist)
From sprained ankles to stubborn necks, from marathon injuries to mysterious “clicks”, we physiotherapists have seen it all.
But every now and then, there are certain things that make us quietly cringe inside. We call them our โheebie-jeebiesโ moments โ the things we wish we could fix before you ever need an appointment!
Letโs have a bit of fun with this. Hereโs a list of what gives your physio the chills (and a few tips on how to avoid landing on our โoh noโ list).
1. โDr Googleโ Diagnoses
You know the one โ that moment a patient walks in, eyes wide, convinced they have a torn ligament, slipped disc and nerve damage… all because Google said so.
We love that you want to understand your body โ truly, we do โ but online information can easily make things sound far scarier than they are.
Our advice: Use the internet for curiosity, not conclusions. Your physio is trained to assess whatโs really going on and to explain it in plain English, not medical jargon.
2. Ignoring Pain (and Hoping It Will Just Go Away)
Pain is your bodyโs way of saying, โHey, somethingโs not right here!โ Yet so many people push through discomfort until it becomes a bigger problem.
A mild ache after exercise is normal. Pain that lingers, limits movement or affects your sleep is not.
Our advice: Donโt wait until it hurts to get out of bed. Early intervention is almost always quicker, easier and cheaper to treat.
3. Text Neck and Laptop Slouch
Ah, posture โ the modern plague. Hours spent hunched over phones and laptops are leaving necks, shoulders and backs crying out for help.
Poor posture doesnโt just cause stiffness; over time, it can affect breathing, mood and even concentration.
Our advice:
- Keep screens at eye level.
- Roll your shoulders back every hour.
- Stretch often (bonus points if you do it mid-email).
4. The โWeekend Warriorโ Syndrome
Five days at a desk, then suddenly two hours of squash, running or gardening at full tilt โ sound familiar? Your body loves movement, but it hates surprises.
Overdoing it after long periods of inactivity is a recipe for strained muscles and sore joints.
Our advice: Build up gradually. A little, often and consistent beats a single burst of heroics every time.
5. Skipping the Basics: Warm-Up and Recovery
Nothing gives a physio more heebie-jeebies than watching someone sprint straight from their car into a workout or flop onto the sofa after a hard session without stretching.
Our advice:
- Warm up with light dynamic movements (arm swings, gentle squats, a brisk walk).
- Cool down with stretches and gentle breathing to help your muscles recover.
6. โMy Chair at Work Is Killing Meโ
We hear this one a lot โ and we believe you! Hours at a desk can take their toll, but itโs often not the chair itself thatโs to blame.
Our advice: Adjust your workstation so your feet are flat, your elbows rest comfortably at 90ยฐ, and your screen is at eye level. Even better, take standing or walking breaks every hour.
7. The Fear of Physio
We promise, weโre not scary! Many people avoid coming because they fear it will be painful, expensive, or lead to talk of surgery. In reality, weโre here to help you feel better, move better, and understand your body better.
Our advice: If youโre unsure, book a short assessment. Knowledge is empowering, and prevention is always better than cure.
In Summary
Physios donโt just treat pain; we help prevent it. So next time you catch yourself googling a diagnosis, slouching over your phone, or ignoring that nagging shoulder, think of us and make a small change.
Because nothing gives your physio more joy (and fewer heebie-jeebies) than seeing you move freely, confidently, and pain-free.
