Quick links:
- Pain Is Hanging Around or Keeps Coming Back
- Your Desk Job Is Starting to Feel Like a Contact Sport
- An Injury Is Stopping You From Getting Back to What You Love
- You’ve Started Moving Around the Problem
- The Same Injury Keeps Making a Comeback
- Everyday Movement Is Becoming Harder
- “I’ll Give It Another Week” Has Become Your Long-Term Treatment Plan
- So, You’re Booking a Physio. What Should You Expect?
- HIF Answers Your Frequently Asked Questions
“She’ll be right.”
It is a Western Australian approach we apply to everything from questionable DIY repairs to suspicious noises coming from the car. And, quite often, our bodies.
Sometimes she is right. A minor ache settles and life carries on. But if you have been saying it for weeks while avoiding stairs, skipping the gym or rotating your entire body to reverse the car because your neck has apparently resigned, it might be time to reconsider.
So, when is it actually time to stop waiting it out and see a physio? The answer is not always as obvious as a major injury. Sometimes it is a niggle that refuses to leave, an old injury making another comeback or everyday movements becoming harder than they used to be.
In this article, we look at seven signs it might be time to see a physio, what physiotherapy can actually help with and, if you do decide to make an appointment, how Medicare and private health insurance may help with the cost.
Most of us experience aches and pains from time to time, and not every sore muscle requires professional treatment. What matters is the pattern.
Pain that persists, repeatedly returns or starts affecting what you can comfortably do is worth paying attention to. Back pain, knee pain, muscle aches, sprains and strains are among the musculoskeletal problems physiotherapists commonly help manage, according to Healthdirect’s guide to physiotherapy.
A physiotherapist can assess the problem rather than simply treating the place that hurts. Depending on your symptoms, that may involve looking at movement, strength and function, discussing when the pain occurs and developing an appropriate treatment or exercise plan.
The key is not to wait for an arbitrary number of days before seeking help. Pay attention to what the pain is doing. If your knee is changing how you climb stairs, your back is affecting your sleep or your shoulder is stopping you from doing things you normally enjoy, the impact on everyday life is useful information in itself. If you have been calling it a “little niggle” for several weeks, the niggle may have earned itself a proper assessment.
A work-related problem does not need to involve lifting something heavy or having an obvious injury. Long periods spent sitting, repetitive movements and a work setup that does not suit you can all contribute to discomfort.
Perhaps your neck feels stiff by lunchtime, your lower back aches after a day at the desk or your shoulders gradually creep towards your ears during the third video call of the afternoon. The temptation can be to blame “bad posture” and attempt to sit perfectly straight for the rest of your working life, but managing musculoskeletal discomfort can be more nuanced than finding one supposedly perfect position.
This is also where it helps to understand that physiotherapy is not simply something that happens to you on a treatment table. Research featured by the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s InMotion publication surveyed 587 Australian adults and found the majority considered physical activity advice both an important and likely part of physiotherapy care. Respondents also expected physiotherapists to provide broader advice about improving general health.
Depending on the problem, your physio may discuss movement, activity, exercise and strategies you can use outside the clinic. That is useful because the goal is not simply to feel better for an hour after an appointment. It is to understand how you can better manage the problem during the other 167 hours of the week.
There is a difference between the normal soreness that can follow exercise and an injury that continues to affect how you move or participate.
Perhaps you rolled an ankle at netball and it still does not feel stable. Maybe your hamstring settles every time you rest, then complains as soon as you start running again. Or perhaps a shoulder injury has technically “healed”, but you have quietly stopped doing anything that requires reaching overhead.
Physiotherapy can support both recovery and rehabilitation after injury. Healthdirect notes that physiotherapists work with sports injuries, sprains and strains, limb injuries and rehabilitation after surgery, with physiotherapy used to improve movement and function as well as reduce pain and stiffness.
That distinction matters. Less pain is not always the same thing as being ready to return to your previous activity. Rehabilitation may also involve rebuilding strength, movement and confidence so you can progressively return to the things you actually want to do.
For a runner, that might mean running again. For someone else, it might mean gardening, lifting their child or walking the dog without worrying about aggravating the problem. The activity changes. The principle does not.
Sometimes your body tells you something is wrong through pain. Other times, your behaviour gives the game away first. You may notice that you are:
- favouring one leg when you walk
- avoiding certain stairs or movements
- turning your whole body rather than your neck
- changing how you lift or carry things
- skipping particular exercises
- relying more heavily on one side of your body.
These adaptations can be easy to miss because they often develop gradually. You find a way to make something hurt less, repeat it and eventually forget that you ever moved differently.
Because physiotherapists are trained in human movement and function, an assessment can look beyond the painful area to how the problem is affecting the way you move.
If getting out of the car has quietly evolved into a six-step manoeuvre, it may be worth asking why.
Some injuries seem to have excellent memories.
The ankle rolls again. The hamstring tightens when you increase your running distance. Your back settles, then returns after another busy week. Each episode might improve with rest, but eventually the repeat performance becomes the important part of the story.
Recurring symptoms can be a reason to look beyond short-term relief. A physiotherapy assessment may consider factors such as movement, strength, activity levels and what happens when you return to the activity that triggers the problem.
This is one reason physiotherapy can involve exercise and advice as well as hands-on techniques.
You do not need to be injured or particularly sporty to benefit from physiotherapy. Physiotherapists work with people of all ages and across a surprisingly broad range of health needs. Beyond musculoskeletal problems, Healthdirect lists areas including arthritis, neurological conditions, stroke rehabilitation, rehabilitation after surgery, some heart and lung conditions, lymphoedema and bladder problems among the situations where physiotherapy may play a role.
For many people, the reason for seeing a physio is much more ordinary: everyday movement has become harder. That could mean stiffness when getting out of bed, difficulty bending down, reduced confidence on stairs, trouble getting up from the floor or feeling less steady and mobile than you used to.
This is an important shift in how we think about physiotherapy. The goal is not always to “fix an injury”. Sometimes it is to preserve or improve function so you can keep doing the everyday things that matter to you.
A personal best does not always involve a stopwatch. Sometimes it is getting onto the floor with the grandkids and knowing you can get back up again.
Giving a minor problem some time to settle can be perfectly reasonable. Giving it “another week” six weeks in a row is perhaps less convincing.
If symptoms keep returning, are getting worse or are increasingly affecting your normal activities, seeking professional advice can help you understand what is going on and what to do next.
You also generally do not need a GP referral to see a physiotherapist privately in Western Australia, so you can contact a physiotherapy clinic directly. There are circumstances where involving your GP is appropriate, including when you are seeking Medicare-funded treatment or when your symptoms may need broader medical investigation.
And importantly, physiotherapy is not automatically the right first stop for every symptom. Severe or sudden symptoms, significant trauma or symptoms that make you concerned something more serious may be happening should be appropriately medically assessed rather than simply booked in as a routine physio appointment.
Knowing when to seek help is not about becoming alarmed by every ache. It is about recognising when waiting is no longer getting you anywhere.
If you have never been to a physiotherapist before, knowing what actually happens can make that first appointment feel less mysterious.
A physiotherapist will generally ask about your symptoms, medical history, activities and what you are having difficulty doing. They may then assess your movement and physical function before discussing what they think may be contributing to the problem.
Treatment varies depending on the person and condition. Healthdirect notes that physiotherapists may use approaches including exercises, stretching, joint techniques, massage, hydrotherapy and other forms of treatment. They can also provide advice about movement and physical activity.
A useful appointment should also leave room for questions. Consider asking:
- What do you think is contributing to the problem?
- What can I safely keep doing?
- Is there anything I should temporarily avoid or modify?
- What exercises should I do between appointments?
- How will we know whether I am improving?
- What should I do if my symptoms change or worsen?
Physiotherapy is often a collaborative process. The more clearly you understand the plan, the easier it is to participate in your own recovery.
Once you have decided an appointment is worthwhile, the next question is often whether Medicare or private health insurance can help.
Can Medicare Cover Physiotherapy?
Medicare does not automatically cover private physiotherapy appointments for everyone. Some people with eligible chronic conditions may be able to access Medicare-supported allied health services when referred under the relevant chronic condition management arrangements.
If you think this may apply to you, speak with your GP about your circumstances before booking. Healthdirect also recommends checking the cost of physiotherapy before your appointment, as fees can vary.
Using Extras Cover for Physio
Private health insurance Extras can also help with eligible physiotherapy costs, depending on the cover you hold.
This is where checking your cover before the appointment is useful. If you are a HIF member considering physiotherapy, you can check your HIF physiotherapy cover to see whether physio is included in your Extras and understand the benefits that may apply.
It is worth checking more than whether the word “physio” appears on your policy. Look at your applicable waiting period, the benefit payable, your remaining annual limit and any provider requirements. If you expect to use physiotherapy regularly, these details can matter considerably more than simply knowing it is included.
For the same reason, there is no single “best” health insurance for physio. The better question is whether the cover suits how you are likely to use it. Someone managing an ongoing problem may have very different priorities from someone who wants Extras available for the occasional sporting injury.
If you are reviewing your overall cover, HIF’s Hospital and Extras options provide a natural place to compare what is included and consider what suits your healthcare needs.
Before Your Appointment
A little preparation can help you get more from both the appointment and your cover.
Before you go, check your appointment cost, what your insurance may contribute and whether your provider meets your fund’s requirements. HIF members can also review the current Extras claiming options so there are fewer surprises at reception.
It can also help to arrive knowing what you want to get back to. “My knee hurts” is useful information. “My knee is stopping me walking my usual route three mornings a week” gives your physiotherapist a much clearer picture of what improvement needs to look like.
In this article we have taken a fairly light-hearted approach to sore backs, dodgy knees and the remarkable human ability to convince ourselves that something will probably disappear by Monday. But persistent pain and changes in movement or function deserve to be taken seriously. Physiotherapy is not only about getting rid of pain. It can be about understanding what is happening, improving movement and function, rehabilitating an injury and giving you strategies to manage your health beyond the clinic.
At HIF, we aim to support members in taking a proactive approach to their health. If physiotherapy is appropriate for you, eligible Extras cover may help towards the cost, and you can check your HIF physio benefits before making an appointment.
Most importantly, if you recognised yourself in one of these seven signs, or perhaps an uncomfortable number of them, consider this your sign to stop saying “she’ll be right” and pick up the phone. Book an appointment with an appropriate healthcare professional and find out what is actually going on.
Your body has been dropping hints. You do not necessarily need to wait until it starts shouting.
What can a physiotherapist help with?
Physiotherapists can assess and treat a broad range of problems affecting movement and physical function. This includes back and knee pain, muscle and joint problems, sprains and strains, sports injuries and rehabilitation after surgery. Physiotherapists also work in areas including neurological rehabilitation, arthritis, lymphoedema and some chronic health conditions.
Do I need a GP referral to see a physiotherapist?
Generally, no. You can usually book a private physiotherapy appointment directly without first seeing a GP. A referral may be required for certain Medicare-funded services or other funded treatment pathways.
What happens at a first physio appointment?
Your physiotherapist will generally ask about your symptoms, health history and activities before assessing your movement and function. Depending on your needs, treatment may include exercise, stretching, manual techniques, physical activity advice or a home exercise program.
How long should I wait before seeing a physio for pain?
There is no single timeframe that applies to every injury or condition. Consider seeking advice if pain is persistent, keeps returning, worsens or begins affecting your movement, sleep, work, exercise or everyday activities. Sudden or severe symptoms may require medical assessment instead.
Can Medicare help pay for physiotherapy?
Medicare may contribute towards physiotherapy for some eligible people under chronic condition management arrangements. Eligibility requirements apply and a referral is required for Medicare-funded allied health treatment. Speak with your GP if you think you may qualify.
Does Extras cover include physiotherapy?
Some Extras policies include benefits towards eligible physiotherapy services. The amount you can claim depends on your specific policy, applicable waiting periods, annual limits and provider requirements. HIF members can check their physiotherapy cover before booking.
What should I check before booking a physio appointment?
Ask the clinic about the appointment fee and check whether your private health insurance provides a benefit. If you have Extras cover, review your remaining annual limit, waiting periods, expected benefit and provider requirements. It is also useful to ask what to bring to your first appointment and whether relevant scans, referrals or medical information would be helpful.
How can I get more value from my physio appointments?
Be clear about what your symptoms are preventing you from doing, ask what you can safely continue doing and understand any exercises or advice you have been given for between appointments. If something in your treatment plan is unclear, ask. Physiotherapy can involve active participation outside the clinic as well as treatment during the appointment.