In this post we discuss why resistance training succeeds where physiotherapy and chiropractic care sometimes fails.
Here are a couple of paragraphs from a recent Google review posted by my client Robert. He came to me for help with a recurring knee issue that was impacting his activities.
“After a few months my knee felt transformed, I was able to walk down hills with full stability, experienced little pain and could hammer it with activities that I would previously avoid.
Previous attempts with physiotherapists and chiropractors never sorted the problem the way that Paul’s approach has. I now have a routine that I do regularly which keeps my knee in good shape.”
Clients often compare the results they achieve with me to other forms of rehab, notably physiotherapy and chiropractic care.
To be honest, this is an unfair comparison. Here’s why.
More time = a more thorough investigation
Physiotherapists are likely to see you for an average of 6 sessions. In private practice that might be more, in the NHS less.
I generally work with people for 3 months or more, seeing them at least once a week. This gives me the opportunity to explore their muscular system in greater detail.
Access to high-quality resistance training equipment
You’ll notice that both physios and chiropractors usually operate out of a single room with no access to resistance training equipment beyond the odd resistance band or two.
I’m based in a gym with carefully selected equipment, making it possible for individuals with even the most complex joint issues to build strength comfortably and without pain.
This is a huge advantage. You can’t reliably and consistently improve strength without resistance training equipment. And getting stronger is a key element to recovering from pain and injury.
I specialise in resistance training
Lastly, I specialise in assessing and improving your muscular system with resistance training. That’s all I do.
As such I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time getting good at this one thing.
Physios might treat a number of health conditions so their education is broader and less focused on exercise and how to apply it.
Summary
Results like Rob’s are not so much an endorsement of my approach, but rather an indication of the true nature of the underlying issue: muscle weakness.
You can’t get stronger on a table, you need a gym. Any other approach, including resistance bands and body weight training, is a poor substitute.
Weakness isn’t something you can treat — it’s something that must be trained.