Some people are under the misconception that physiotherapy is painful, and for this reason, they may shy away from seeking treatment. Others confuse it with other medical interventions which are painful. The truth is that physiotherapy aims to relieve pain rather than cause it. Physiotherapists are trained to perform range-of-motion and other modalities within the pain-free range.
In the beginning, during the assessment, you may feel some pain as the therapist tries to move a joint through your available range. However, once treatment begins, you will find it becomes more comfortable as the joint becomes more flexible. Also, in treating painful conditions such as fractures, sprains and strains, the physiotherapist will use different modalities such as heat or cold packs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and massage to make your exercise more tolerable and pain-free. Sometimes therapists may employ hydrotherapy (in a pool) which makes the exercises more comfortable.