The Importance Of Follow-Up Appointments For Musculoskeletal Injuries
Experiencing musculoskeletal injuries, such as back pain, can be extremely unpleasant and debilitating. Because of this, patients are generally eager to be pain-free as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, we often see people prematurely discontinuing their treatment, cancelling follow-up appointments, or even skipping them altogether once they begin to “feel good”. This approach is suboptimal for long-term recovery, often leading to a quick recurrence of pain and discomfort and a longer rehab process overall.
When your physiotherapist recommends a rehabilitation course for your recovery, they have your best interests at heart. One common error people make is discontinuing treatment after experiencing initial relief, not realising this decision may have adverse consequences in the long run. Below, we’ll discuss the significance of attending your follow-up appointments and adhering to your physiotherapist’s guidance, to ensure a full recovery.
- Prevent Recurrence:
Completing your physiotherapy rehab is crucial for preventing the recurrence of musculoskeletal injuries, such as back pain. While you might feel better after a few sessions, the underlying issues may not be fully resolved. Stopping treatment prematurely leaves your body much more vulnerable to reinjury. A comprehensive rehab program helps address the root causes, ensuring long-term relief and a decreased risk of relapse.
- Address Hidden Issues:
Even if your pain seems to have subsided, there may be underlying issues that you aren’t aware of. These hidden problems can exacerbate over time, leading to more severe discomfort. By completing your rehab, you allow your physiotherapist to identify and treat these more hidden issues, ensuring a much better recovery.
- Strengthen and Stabilise:
Musculoskeletal rehab isn’t just about pain relief; a big part of it is also about building strength and stability in the affected area. By stopping treatment when you “feel good,” you miss out on the opportunity to regain optimal strength and function. Completing the prescribed rehab exercises, both in clinic and at-home, helps you regain full strength, flexibility, and stability, reducing the risk of future injuries.
- Long-Term Wellness:
Your physiotherapist has the expertise to guide you through a well-structured rehab program that promotes long-term wellness vs a ‘quick fix’. Stopping treatment early eliminates your chance to achieve lasting results. Continuing with your rehab ensures that you not only feel better but also maintain good health, allowing you to lead an active and pain-free life.
With the above points in mind, we always suggest that you follow your physio’s recommendation/treatment plan when it comes to follow up appointments and rebooking timeframes. We hate seeing our patients in pain and want to see you back at your best, not only in the quickest timeframe, but also in the long-term. If you are experiencing any musculoskeletal pain or discomfort and would like to chat to us further about recovery timeframes or treatment courses, feel free to get in touch with us on (07) 3325 1858 and we would be happy to help you out.