Physiotherapy Vs Cortisone Injection? What To Know About Both

Suffering from an injury and want the most effective treatment? Most people consider many different medical solutions that can help treat their pain. Although there are many benefits to different treatments, there are also side effects that must be considered. Physiotherapy is always highly recommend as a non-surgical, highly-credible and natural treatment to help restore the injury and overall functions. Whereas, cortisone injections are steroid shots inserted to the injured area to treat the inflammation.

Both methods are used to treat an injury, however, their long term results are day and night. Want to know more before getting the cortisone shot? Read below for our guide to why physiotherapy is a safer choice:

Cortisone Injections: What Are They?

Most people believe that a cortisone shot is a pain reliever, but this is simply untrue. These injections are, in fact, used to decrease the inflammation from an injury, often arthritis or allergic reactions, which may lead to less pain. These injections are essentially a quick fix to what is a long-lasting pain. The medication in the injection is often a corticosteroid (a steroid) or a local anaesthetic. They are administered by a health professional by a single shot, but the symptoms may include:

• Joint infection/Joint damage
• Nerve damage
• Increase in blood sugar
• Thinning of the bones (Osteoporosis)
• Tendon rupture
• Death of a nearby bone (Osteonecrosis)
• Skin lightening around area of injection
• Vasovagal Syncope: the injection can result in fainting, sweating and nausea.
• Flare-Up: Approximately 10% of people who get the shot experience sharp pains which sometimes resolve after three to five days.

Cortisone Injections are often advised to older patients, with tendons already very damaged. Younger adults with healthy joints should consider all medical options, especially Physiotherapy before this shot.

Physiotherapy: A Better Choice?

Physiotherapy is a natural, medical treatment to injury that has long-lasting results. Instead of being a one-time quick fix, physiotherapists look at the bigger picture to relieve your pain. Physiotherapy uses various techniques to try and restore or relieve your body of the pain you’re suffering, to make everyday tasks easier or possible. The ultimate goal is to increase your strength, overall health and ability to live normally.

The non-invasive, non-surgical techniques include various exercises, electrical stimulation, balance activities and ambulation. As with any form of exercise, there are minor side effects as a result of pushing your body, such as:

• Fatigue
• Muscle soreness
• Back pain
• Minor stress

These minor and very common symptoms are dramatically less harmful to the body than the cortisone injections. Following a fitness plan to maintain your health while also following the other physiotherapy techniques can result in a decrease in pain, increase in health and a boost in your overall mood.

Pro Fusion Rehab’s fully licensed physiotherapists are here to help you relieve that pain. Our clinic has built a trusted reputation in Milton based on our friendly and professional staff’s hard work. We offer affordable rates to our community to ensure you get the help you need. Give us a call or fill out our online contact form to get started today!