@%#$&*^ Physiotherapist

**vifferman** · 7th January 2005, 13:29

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Physios!!! [Steam gushes from hobby horse's flared nostrils]

I blame ACC for financing this "industry". How many years' training do physios do to learn how to use an ultrasound machine and prescribe, of all things, exercises!! Having "qualified" practitioners think this is a serious profession. And then sting you for serious amounts of dosh.

Using the old 80-20 rule, 80% of the time for soft tissue injuries, strains and lesions, the body given time will heal itself. Waggling an ultrasound machine over it will make fuck-all difference. The other 20% of cases should be referred to medical practitioners who know what they're looking at and how to treat it. However the US-wagglers don't know what they don't know and are happy to keep invoicing as long as the punters keep rocking up.

Comma after the "qualified" would help aid clarity, Mr H.

Anyhoo, it's funny (or summat) you should mention this. As a sceptic, I make a point of quizzing physio's (I use the ' to represent "therapist" and to piss you off) about this very thing. The first time was after suffering the horrible discomfort the US machine imparts, I asked the next physio, "Do the machines that go 'Bing!' actually work?". He said, "There is no evidence that they, or any other treatment, is actually particularly efficacious for many injuries. But due to the placebo effect, and because it keeps the punters happy, if someone indicates a desire for a particular course of treatment, we will use it."
He actually professed little real belief in the 'science' of physiotherapy, but said he had great respect for the work done by osteopaths.

I think that by using scientific-looking equipment, and explaining what they're doing by couching it in technical terms, people continue to believe in it. Like when using ultrasound, the last physio I went to (solely because I had a crushed and very swollen ankle, and numb leg, after crashing my VFR750), said, "This helps break down the damaged tissue, so it can be flushed out by the body's lymphatic system."
She actually got quite pissed off when I questioned stuff she was doing, and told her that almost all the 'treatment' I'd ever had had made me much worse.

The best physio I went to was a fellow biker, who was very intelligent, and whom I used to greet with sayings such as, "So, Dr. Machiavelli - we meet again. I have a feeling this will likely end in pain and tears for one of us..."

**MOTOXXX** · 7th January 2005, 13:46

Originally Posted by Hitcher

I rest my case. She gave you a book and sympathy knowing full well that, given time, your body would heal itself. Amazing what deficiencies a good bedside manner can cover.

not quite. Unlike the other physio who just kept doing the same thing and telling me to come back and not fixing anything. ie takin me money with no results.

3 months latter i hurt my back even worse.
She made my back a lot better in 3 visits and also showed me how look after my back and do excersises to strengthen it so i wouldnt have to come back.
its been 8 months and havent had any probs with my back.
Since then she has fixed my knee from my bike crash (torn ligament) and has almost fixed my ac joint in my shoulder.

**MSTRS:Me** · 7th January 2005, 14:12

Originally Posted by Riff Raff

Well yesterday I went for physio on my neck and he decided to use both thumbs to put pressure on left side of my neck cos that side has been slower to heal. I was pretty sore afterwards, but it was nothing compared to how it is today. Basically I'm back to square one after four weeks of healing - can't move neck round to left or tilt up and down. I can get an appointment with an osteopath tomorrow, but just wondering if anyone knows anyone really good in south Auckland who can fix up this physio's f$@k up. Bear in mind I live in Papakura and will have to walk there or get a taxi. I haven't rung the physio yet to tell him what a knobwit he is.

Physios

waste of time & money. I suggest you ring a Naturopath (most of them will diagnose your problem & recommend appropriate treatment free in my experience) You could ring Peter Berben 025 247 7845 - he is a Sports Naturopath & should be able to help. Failing that, you might like to try a Chiropractor. They are also looked down on by the medical profession (& Hitcher?) but one of them fixed a problem in my wife's back/neck in a matter of weeks. She had had the problem for 20yrs !!!! & it's not recurred since (that was about 7yrs ago)

**vifferman** · 7th January 2005, 14:14

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Physios

waste of time & money. I suggest you ring a Naturopath (most of them will diagnose your problem & recommend appropriate treatment free in my experience) You could ring Peter Berben 025 247 7845 - he is a Sports Naturopath & should be able to help. Failing that, you might like to try a Chiropractor. They are also looked down on by the medical profession (& Hitcher?) but one of them fixed a problem in my wife's back/neck in a matter of weeks. She had had the problem for 20yrs !!!! & it's not recurred since (that was about 7yrs ago)

No comment.

Apart from that one.
Oh yeah - and that one too.
And also that.
And the preceding one.
And...

**James Deuce** · 7th January 2005, 14:16

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Physios

waste of time & money. I suggest you ring a Naturopath (most of them will diagnose your problem & recommend appropriate treatment free in my experience) You could ring Peter Berben 025 247 7845 - he is a Sports Naturopath & should be able to help. Failing that, you might like to try a Chiropractor. They are also looked down on by the medical profession (& Hitcher?) but one of them fixed a problem in my wife's back/neck in a matter of weeks. She had had the problem for 20yrs !!!! & it's not recurred since (that was about 7yrs ago)

What's that duck noise?

**crashe** · 7th January 2005, 14:24

Thats not good news to hear at all...

Hope that you can sort ya neck out real soon.....

Living in South Auckland.... now why did I think that you lived in West Auckland out Titirangi / Glen Eden way?

**Lucyloo** · 7th January 2005, 14:27

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Failing that, you might like to try a Chiropractor. They are also looked down on by the medical profession (& Hitcher?) but one of them fixed a problem in my wife's back/neck in a matter of weeks. She had had the problem for 20yrs !!!! & it's not recurred since (that was about 7yrs ago)

Hurrumph!
Don't get me started on chiropractors....too late, you have....I very mis-guidedly (if there is such a word) went to a Chiro for 6 months...didn't get any better...in fact I ended up in more pain than I started with. Was talked into trying an osteo. I might just be very lucky, but he had me free of pain in 2 sessions and "cured" in 6 session! Can't speak highly enough of him, and wouldn't go anywhere else.

**vifferman** · 7th January 2005, 14:36

Originally Posted by Lucyloo

mis-guidedly

Try "misguidedly".
Or not.

**Lucyloo** · 7th January 2005, 14:44

Originally Posted by vifferman

Try "misguidedly".
Or not.

I'll try anything once

**MSTRS:Me** · 7th January 2005, 14:45

Seems everyone can knock one or more of the professions. Could it be that said profession(al)s are like KBers - not all can be excellent riders regardless of the bike they ride??

**vifferman** · 7th January 2005, 14:46

Originally Posted by Lucyloo

I'll try anything once

Stop teasing. I have a very low tolerance to innuendo.

**vifferman** · 7th January 2005, 14:48

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Seems everyone can knock one or more of the professions. Could it be that said profession(al)s are like KBers - not all can be excellent riders regardless of the bike they ride??

While what you say sounds reasonable and is probably true, if you're talking about physios, naturopaths and the like as "professionals", then they are not such, by the traditional meaning of the term.