When should you see a physio?

When self-management is often enough

Not every ache needs a physio. Many minor strains, stiff necks, sore backs and training niggles settle within a few days to two weeks with sensible activity, a short-term reduction in training load, and time. Muscle soreness a day or two after a hard session is normal and is not an injury.

If you have a mild niggle, our guide to training with a niggle explains how to adjust training so it can settle, and our page on whether to rest or move with an injury helps you judge how much to do.

A reasonable rule of thumb is to watch the trend. If each day is a little better than the last, keep going with what you are doing. If it is flat or getting worse after a week or two, that is the point to get help.

Signs it is time to see a physio

• Pain that is not improving, or is getting worse, after one to two weeks
• A problem that keeps coming back, such as recurring back pain or the same hamstring niggle every few months
• Pain that stops you sleeping, working, looking after family or training
• An injury with a clear mechanism, such as rolling an ankle or feeling a pop, that is affecting how you move
• Weakness, instability or a joint that gives way
• Pain that is changing how you move, such as limping or avoiding using an arm
• Pins and needles or numbness that is mild and not getting worse, alongside neck or back pain
• You want guidance on training safely around an injury or returning to sport

Getting assessed early often means a shorter recovery. A niggle that is addressed in its first few weeks is usually easier to manage than one that has been pushed through for months.

Physio before and after surgery

Physio plays a big part around operations. Before surgery, prehab can improve strength and fitness and help you prepare for recovery. After surgery, rehab is essential for getting the most out of an operation such as a knee or hip replacement or ACL reconstruction. Your hospital will usually arrange early physio, and many people choose extra support to progress into gym-based strength work.

Physio is also valuable in pregnancy and after birth, for pelvic girdle pain, back pain and returning to exercise, and for long-term conditions such as osteoarthritis, where exercise is a core treatment.

If you are unsure, it is fine to book an assessment simply for peace of mind. Knowing what is going on, and that it is safe to keep training in a modified way, is often enough to let you get on with it confidently.

What a physio can help with

Physiotherapists assess and treat a wide range of problems, and many people are surprised by how broad that is. Common reasons to see a musculoskeletal physio include:

• Back and neck pain, including sciatica and pain that keeps coming back
• Sports and gym injuries, such as strains, sprains and tendon problems
• Joint pain from osteoarthritis, and staying active with it
• Pain related to work, such as repetitive strain or desk-related aches
• Recovery before and after operations
• Pregnancy-related pain and returning to exercise after having a baby
• Persistent pain that has lasted for months

Physios also help with prevention: reviewing your training when niggles keep appearing, advising on load when you start a new goal like a first HYROX, and building strength where you have had problems before.

When to see someone else first

Some symptoms need medical assessment before physio. Physios are trained to spot these and will refer you, but it is better to go straight to the right place if they apply.

• Call 999 or go to A&E for numbness around the genitals or buttocks, new bladder or bowel problems, or weakness in both legs.
• Call 999 for chest pain, sudden breathlessness, or signs of a stroke such as face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech.
• Go to A&E after significant trauma with deformity, inability to bear weight, or a cold, pale or numb limb.
• Call NHS 111 or see a GP urgently for a hot, red, swollen joint, a swollen painful calf, or pain with fever or feeling very unwell.
• See your GP for unexplained weight loss, a history of cancer with new pain, constant severe night pain, or if you need medication or blood tests.

How to access a physio

In the UK you do not usually need a GP referral to see a physio. Many NHS areas offer self-referral to physiotherapy services, although waiting times vary. Private physio is available without referral, and some health insurance policies cover it, sometimes with conditions about referral, so check your policy.

Physiotherapist is a protected title in the UK, and anyone using it must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). A good physio will assess you thoroughly, explain what is going on, give you an active plan and tell you if you need to see someone else.

What to expect and next steps

Your first appointment is mainly an assessment, followed by a plan and usually some treatment. Our guide to what happens at your first physio appointment covers it in detail, and our guide to how many physio sessions you might need explains what shapes the length of treatment.

At Lycan Strength, the on-site physio treats sports injuries, back pain, chronic pain, muscle and joint pain, men's and women's health, and pre and post-operative rehab. Gym members get 20% off. You can book a physio appointment online or call 07428 442526.

Questions