17/05/2026
**Things patients say that make physios twitch…**
We say this with love, because we’ve heard them all — and usually from people who are frustrated, in pain, and just trying to work out what on earth is going on.
Here are a few classics:
**“I think my pelvis is out of alignment.”**
This is a big one.
Your pelvis is strong. Very strong. It is not usually slipping in and out of place like a dodgy drawer.
When people feel “wonky”, “twisted” or “out of line”, it is more likely to be pain, stiffness, muscle guarding, weakness, irritation, altered movement, or your body protecting itself.
That feeling is real.
But the answer is usually not someone “putting you back in”. A proper assessment should look at why you feel that way, what is sensitive, what is stiff, what is weak, and what needs to change so the problem does not keep coming back.
**“My friend’s friend said it might be…”**
We love a helpful friend.
But pain and injury advice from someone who once had “something similar” can be a dangerous game.
Two people can both have back pain and need completely different treatment.
Two people can both have knee pain and have completely different causes.
Two people can both have shoulder pain and one might need strengthening, one might need mobility work, one might need load management, and one might need referring on.
Google, gym mates, neighbours and Facebook comments can give you ideas — but they cannot assess your movement, strength, symptoms, medical history, nerve signs, injury history or what actually reproduces your pain.
**“I thought I’d just rest it and see.”**
Rest can be useful in the short term.
But rest is not always rehab.
If pain settles while you rest, but comes back as soon as you walk, run, lift, train, garden, work or sit at your desk again, the problem probably has not been fully solved.
It may need better strength, mobility, load management, movement confidence, hands-on treatment, or a proper plan to build you back up.
**“It’s probably just my age.”**
Maybe.
But maybe not.
Age can play a part in stiffness, arthritis, tendon changes and recovery time — but pain, weakness and loss of confidence are not automatically things you just have to put up with.
“You’re getting older” is not a treatment plan.
**“I found some exercises on YouTube.”**
Some online exercises are great.
Some are completely wrong for the stage you are at.
The right exercise can help.
The wrong exercise, done too soon or too aggressively, can irritate things even more.
The key is not just “doing exercises”. It is knowing what the problem is, what stage it is at, what needs calming down, what needs strengthening, what needs loading, and how to progress safely.
**“It only hurts when I do this.”**
That is useful information.
But it does not always mean you should just avoid that thing forever.
If stairs hurt, should you never use stairs again?
If running hurts, should you never run again?
If lifting hurts, should you avoid lifting for life?
Usually, the aim is not to remove every activity. The aim is to work out why that activity is irritating things, calm the symptoms down, then gradually build your body’s tolerance back up.
And honestly, if we had a pound for every time someone said, **“I wish I’d come and got this sorted earlier,”** we’d probably be sitting on a yacht drinking champagne off the Amalfi Coast by now.
Pain is information. The trick is knowing what it means.
At **Bodyworks Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic**, we assess what is actually going on and help guide you with the right treatment, advice and rehab plan — so you are not left guessing, Googling, or waiting for it to magically disappear.
Not sure whether you need physio, massage or rehab?
Message us and we’ll help point you in the right direction.
📍 Bodyworks Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, Grays
📞 01375 375 938
Our phone line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
🌐 [www.bodyworks-physio.co.uk](http://www.bodyworks-physio.co.uk)
📧 [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
