Physio Advice Please - how to ask for what I think I need

[Jewel1968]

Am seeing a physio for a problem I have with back of knee and calf. At consultation I was told I would get hands on massage, dry needling and exercise programme. I like the sound of it and paid for 6 sessions in advance. I have had 3 sessions since and all have been teaching me exercises. I am doing the exercises but not seeing any real improvement.

I have long history of back problems so I think it's connected. I accept that strength isn't as good as it could be and so am doing the exercises as directed. The physio has not physically touched the epicenter of pain which I find odd.

Has anyone got any tips on how I navigate the next sessions. Should I explicitly ask for what was originally offered or should I say something else. Feel very foolish to have prepaid for 6 sessions.

Of course the physio might be spot on in their approach.

I’d cancel and go and see an osteopath. Ime this is what physios do now, hands off, here are some exercises. I’ve started seeing an osteopath after 5 years of 5 different physios and it’s been a revelation.

I might struggle to get a refund. I have used chiropractor and osteopath in the past and usually find a good hands on physio is the best. Trouble is when I find a good one they move on (London). I sought recommendations for this one so am very disappointed.

I think it would be fine for you to ask op. Say that you feel it has been beneficial in the past and could it be tried alongside the exercises now?

If you are paying and don't feel listened to I think that would be grounds for a refund. A lot of what works for the patient comes down to the individual and it is fine for you to give feedback that you don't think this particular approach has been successful so far.

I would welcome that feedback from you as your physio

I guess I am thinking - they know best - and I do think the exercises are good. Although I do think I would values stretching exercises too cos I am doing stretching exercises and they might be the wrong ones.

The best physios I have had were hands on and exercise. I once literally cried with pain in response to physio hands on manipulation but I walked out of there virtually cured. I don't cry easily - I had two labours with no pain relief. It was just amazing.

Tell them you would like soft tissue massage as part of the treatment, that you feel you would benefit from them actually feeling the area where the pain is coming from to see if they are able to do anything to relieve it. That up this is what you were advised would take place when you booked the sessions and that you wouldn't have booked with them if you had known it wouldn't be part of the therapy.

@FatAgainItsLettuceTime you are right but it feels so awkward when you are literally in their hands. I just need to get some backbone.

I'm seeing a physio with bad back/ crazy hips/ knee/ ankle carry on and between the shock wave gun and massage there isn't a point where she isn't actively wrestling my body back in to place. I always feel the benefit of having gone when I leave. Then I have another week of exercises to follow. I'm four weeks in and have gone from feeling completely fubared to being able about 70% right.