Do Physiotherapists Only Give Exercises?

When people think of physiotherapy, they often picture being given a whole list of rehabilitation exercises and told to do them at home. Exercise prescription is definitely a very crucial part of physiotherapy treatment, but they’re only one piece of what physiotherapists actually do.

Understanding the Root Cause of the Problem

Physiotherapy usually starts with understanding the person as a whole, not just the pain. A physiotherapist listens to what’s been going and explores the potential mechanisms of injury, looks at how you move, and works out what problem is happening and contributes to the pain. That’s why two people with the same injury can end up with very different treatment plans. The exercises you get are chosen specifically and have been tailor-made for your body, goals, and current state of recovery, instead of pulling the treatment plans from a generic list.

Alongside exercises, physiotherapists spend a lot of time explaining what’s going on in your body. Pain can be confusing and most of the time being multifactorial. Physiotherapists assist people to understand why pain happens and “fix” the myths in mind of the patient. One of the most common misunderstood ideas that physiotherapists always correct is that pain doesn't always mean damage and moving is often safe and helpful in certain kinds of injuries. This education alone can make a big difference in how someone feels and recovers.

Manual Therapy as an Adjunct

Manual treatments can also be part of physiotherapy. In certain joint or muscle injuries, manual techniques like joint mobilisation, dry needling, deep tissue works etc may be used to reduce pain or help you move more freely, especially early in rehabilitation. However, these are usually used to support movement and exercise, not replace them.

Lens Beyond the clinic

Physiotherapists also look beyond the clinic. How you sit at school or work, how you train, how much you rest, and how you move throughout the day all matter. Small changes to daily habits can help recovery and reduce the chance of the problem coming back.

So no, physiotherapists don’t only give exercises. Exercises are just one tool. Physiotherapy is really about helping people understand their bodies, move better, and feel confident getting back to everyday life and activity.

Alex Chan

Physiotherapist

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Alwa

ys seek the advice of your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.