What are the side effects of physiotherapy? Physiotherapy is generally safe, but yes, you can experience side effects—mostly short-term soreness, temporary swelling, or mild discomfort as your body adapts to new movement. The good news? Most people find these effects manageable and actually a sign that treatment is working.
The Common Stuff You Might Feel
Delayed onset muscle soreness is probably the most common side effect. You know that achy feeling 24–48 hours after you exercise? That’s essentially what happens when your physio gets your injured muscles working again. It’s your body’s way of saying, “Okay, we’re repairing this.” A patient came in once convinced her shoulder physio had gone wrong because her arm felt heavier the next day. Turns out, she was just using muscles she hadn’t activated properly in months. After a chat and some gentle stretching, she understood what was happening.
Temporary inflammation or swelling can show up, especially if you’ve been immobilised for a while. Your physiotherapist port melbourne might apply ice or compression to help settle this down, and it usually calms within a few hours to a day. Some people get mild bruising too, depending on the techniques used—think deep tissue work or certain manual therapies.
Headaches or dizziness occasionally happen during or right after treatment, particularly if you’ve had neck manipulation or mobilisation. You’ll typically feel fine once you’ve rested and had some water. If it doesn’t settle, always tell your physio—they might adjust their approach next session.
Less Common but Worth Knowing
Temporary flare-up in pain can happen. This doesn’t mean treatment has failed. Sometimes your body needs to go through a slightly uncomfortable phase before it gets better. It’s a bit like clearing out a wound before it heals properly. I had one client with chronic knee pain who got slightly worse for three days, then dramatically improved. We’d essentially “stirred things up” to reset the healing process.
Nerve-related sensations—tingling, pins and needles—might occur if your physio is working near nerves or addressing neural tension. This usually settles quickly and often signals that the right area is being treated.
Feeling tired or emotional happens too. Your nervous system has been working hard to manage pain, so once treatment starts settling things down, exhaustion can hit. Some people feel emotional release after massage or mobilisation—that’s your body relaxing the tension it’s been holding.
When Should You Actually Worry?
Mild side effects lasting a few days? Normal. Increasing pain, significant swelling, or symptoms not improving within 72 hours? Ring your physio. They need to know so they can modify treatment.
Most side effects happen because your body is genuinely adapting and healing. Your physio should explain what to expect before and after each session. With private physio around $80–$120 per session in Melbourne, you’re investing in genuine improvement—not just feeling worse.
Next Steps
Side effects usually mean you’re on the right track, but they shouldn’t be ignored. Chat with your physio about what to expect, ask about home care between sessions, and mention anything that doesn’t feel right. Does this sound like what you’re experiencing? If so, a quick call to your physio is your best move—they’re there to help you feel better, not worse.
