What are the side effects of physiotherapy?

What is normal. Mild soreness or stiffness in the treated area, starting a few hours later and settling within twenty four to forty eight hours. Feeling tired after a first session. A short lived increase in pain the first time a stiff joint is mobilised. Bruising and a dull local ache after dry needling. Round marks after hijama, fading over three to seven days.

What is not normal. Pain clearly worse than before and still worse after three days. New numbness, pins and needles or weakness. Pain spreading further down the arm or leg than before. A joint becoming hot, red and swollen. A skin burn, blister or rash where a hot pack or a machine was used. A needling or cupping site that becomes hot, red and increasingly painful over the following days, which may be infection and needs a doctor.

Neck treatment deserves a separate note. Dizziness, nausea, ringing in the ears, visual disturbance, slurred speech or numbness around the mouth during or after neck treatment must be reported immediately and the treatment stopped. These are uncommon, which is why a careful assessment comes first and why blood pressure, dizziness and any history of stroke should be mentioned at the first visit.

Separately, and regardless of any treatment, go to a hospital the same day for loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or back passage, both legs becoming weak, sudden facial drooping, slurred speech or one sided weakness. These are emergencies in their own right and not side effects of physiotherapy.