Is Physiotherapy Painful? Not really—but it might feel uncomfortable, and that’s actually a good sign. Here’s the honest answer: physiotherapy shouldn’t hurt in a sharp, “something’s wrong” way. But you might feel soreness or mild muscle ache, especially when you’re working on strengthening or regaining movement. That’s normal. That’s actually what progress looks like.
The Two Types of Pain You Might Feel
Let me break down what you’re likely to experience. There’s productive discomfort—that’s the dull, achy sensation you get when your muscles are working harder than they’re used to. It’s similar to the feeling after a good gym session. That feeling usually eases up pretty quickly once you stop the exercise or rest for a bit.
Then there’s injurious pain—sharp, burning, or stabbing sensations that come on suddenly. That’s your body’s red light. If that happens, we stop immediately and figure out what’s going on. Your job is to tell me if something doesn’t feel right. I can’t feel what you’re feeling, so communication is absolutely crucial here.
Here’s a real scenario: I had a patient, let’s call him Marco, who came in with a knee injury. When we started doing gentle squats, he felt that dull ache in his thigh muscle. Marco panicked and thought he was making it worse. So we talked through it—explained that his quads had been inactive and were waking up. Once he understood that sensation meant the muscle was getting stronger, not damaged, he relaxed. By session three, that ache was barely noticeable.
What Actually Happens During a Session
Your physio might use different techniques—hands-on manipulation, exercise, heat, or electrotherapy. Some of these feel amazing (seriously, many people find massage-like treatment really soothing). Others feel like work because, well, they are. You’re literally retraining your body.
When you’re doing strengthening exercises, you’ll probably feel muscle fatigue. Your muscles might feel tired or slightly sore. The soreness usually peaks about 24 to 48 hours after your session and then settles down. That’s called delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS, and it’s completely normal. It doesn’t mean you’ve hurt yourself.
Here’s another example: Sarah had chronic back pain and hadn’t exercised in years. Her first physio session involved gentle core exercises—nothing dramatic. By the next day, her abs felt sore. She was convinced she’d overdone it. But I explained that her core muscles had been inactive, and that soreness was them adapting to movement again. She stuck with it, and within two weeks, that initial soreness disappeared and her back felt heaps better.
How to Tell If Something’s Wrong
Listen to your body, but don’t panic at every sensation. Productive discomfort is usually mild to moderate, feels like a dull ache in the muscle you’re working, and fades pretty quickly. It often affects both sides of your body if you’re working bilaterally.
Sharp pain, burning, or intense discomfort? That’s different. That’s your signal to stop and tell your physio right away. Also watch out if pain keeps getting worse during an exercise, or if it lingers for hours after your session—that’s not normal and we need to adjust.
Managing Your Sessions So They’re Comfortable
Communication is everything. Before we start, let me know about any previous injuries, surgeries, or conditions that might affect how your body responds. During treatment, speak up if something feels off. There’s no such thing as being difficult or wasting my time.
Physiotherapy in Australia typically costs between $50 to $90 per private session, though you might get Medicare rebates if you have a referral from your doctor. Many practices bulk bill, which means no out-of-pocket cost. Either way, you shouldn’t be in pain during treatment.
So, Is Physiotherapy Worth It?
Yes. The evidence shows that physiotherapy is genuinely effective for managing pain, improving strength, and getting you back to doing the things you care about. That mild discomfort during sessions is part of the recovery process, not proof that it’s harming you.
Ready to give it a go? Start by booking a session with a physio who’ll listen to your concerns and explain what’s happening with your body. Does this sound like what you’re worrying about? We recommend a port melbourne physiotherapist if you want to give it a try.
