“Physio Made Me Worse!”
“I tried physio….. it made my symptoms worse!”
Starting physiotherapy is an important step toward recovery after an injury, surgery, or ongoing pain problem. Many people are surprised when they feel more sore after their first few sessions. At Better Beyond Rehab Winnipeg one of the most common questions we hear is: “Is it normal to feel worse after physiotherapy?” In many cases, the answer is yes, especially early in the rehabilitation process.
Have you ever heard of the saying, “Use it or lose it?” We couldn’t agree more!
Are Exercises Harming Me?!
No. Often, it means your body is adapting to new movement, strength demands, and tissue loading after a period of injury or protection. There is a big difference between hurt and harm. When you begin physiotherapy, your muscles, joints, tendons, and nervous system are often being challenged in ways they have not been recently.
This can happen after:
• Sports injuries
• Fractures
• Surgery
• Concussions
• Back or neck pain
• Tendon injuries
• Long periods of rest or inactivity
Just like starting a new workout program, these changes can temporarily create soreness or fatigue.
“Good Soreness” vs “Concerning Pain”
A small increase in soreness after treatment is often normal. This may feel like: muscle ache, mild stiffness, temporary fatigue, feeling “worked” or a slight increase in symptoms for 24–48 hours. However, there is a difference between expected soreness and pain that should be reassessed.
Contact your physiotherapist if you experience:
• Severe or sharp pain
• Significant swelling
• Loss of function
• Night pain that is worsening
• Numbness or weakness
• Symptoms that continue worsening for several days
At Better Beyond Rehab, our team adjusts treatment plans based on how each patient responds. Rehabilitation should challenge the body, but it should still feel manageable and progressive.
Temporary Soreness Can Actually Be Part of Recovery
After an injury, many tissues become weaker or more sensitive because they have not been used normally. Muscles lose strength, tendons become less tolerant to load, joints stiffen, balance/coordination decline and the nervous system becomes more protective
Physiotherapy helps rebuild tolerance gradually.
Sometimes this process temporarily “wakes things up” before improvement occurs. A muscle that has been underused for months may become sore once it starts working again. A stiff joint may feel irritated before mobility improves.
This is why gradual progression is so important.
Rest Alone Usually Is Not the Answer
One of the biggest misconceptions is that complete rest always helps pain improve faster.
In reality, too much rest can sometimes lead to weakness, stiffness, reduced endurance, slower recovery and ongoing pain sensitivity.
Evidence-based physiotherapy focuses on finding the right balance between:
• Protection
• Movement
• Strengthening
• Recovery
Pediatric and Teen Athletes Often Experience This Too
Children and adolescents in Winnipeg often experience temporary soreness when beginning rehabilitation for:
• ACL injuries
• Sever’s disease
• Ankle sprains
• Growth-related pain
• Fractures
• Return-to-sport conditioning
This is especially common when athletes have taken time away from sports and are rebuilding strength and confidence.
The Bottom Line
Feeling a little worse before feeling better can sometimes be a normal part of physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Mild soreness does not necessarily mean damage is occurring.
The key is having an individualized treatment plan that progresses safely and is adjusted based on your response.
If you are looking for physiotherapy in Winnipeg for yourself or your child, our team provides care for pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients.
Better Beyond Rehab
Book online here or contact our clinic to learn more.
