Yes that’s right,difference between a Physio and GP !

Do I need GP referral to see a Physio?

Do I need a referral to see a Physio?

A lot of people seem to be confused about whether they should see a Physio or GP for certain conditions? So let’s try and explain this to you in as simple terms as possible. If you suffer from pain affecting your bones, joints or muscles, you can very well see a Physiotherapist and not see a GP.Physiotherapists are first contact practitioners which means patients can come directly to a Physiotherapist without seeing a GP before and many of them do. However if you go to a GP for the above conditions, their focus is going to be immediate pain relief. Hence they will prescribe medication to relieve the pain. But medications alone are not enough to heal the injury and they provide a temporary relief. A good GP will also then refer you to a Physio. This is so you can not only get pain relief but also prevent this issue from returning.

Physios are very capable of diagnosing a problem affecting bones, muscles and joints. Once they know what’s going on, they will then treat it. Although medication can help reduce pain, it does not help in the healing of the condition. Physiotherapy is a long term solution.