# When should physiotherapy stop for urgent medical help?

URL: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/when-should-physiotherapy-be-paused
For: Patients | Physiotherapy care | Last updated 19 October 2026

**Answer:** Routine physiotherapy should stop and you should get urgent medical help for symptoms such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, facial droop or speech difficulty, collapse, major injury or suspected fracture, new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or buttocks, rapidly worsening numbness, high fever with severe pain, or a cold, pale limb. These can signal serious conditions that need medical diagnosis first. Symptoms can be urgent even when pain is mild.

### Pausing is not the same as discharge

Physiotherapy may also be paused for acute illness, fever, wound or post-operative problems, severe unexpected pain or a new medical restriction. A pause is often temporary while risk is assessed.

- The clinician should record the reason and give safety advice
- Appropriate medical review should be arranged
- It should be clear when and under what conditions treatment can resume
- Treatment can restart once you are safe and the plan has been updated
- If you are unsure, seek urgent professional advice rather than waiting for a routine appointment

> **Important:** Chest pain, severe breathlessness, sudden weakness, collapse, stroke signs, new bladder or bowel loss, saddle sensory change or suspected vascular compromise requires urgent emergency assessment.

> **Important:** If there is immediate danger or a medical emergency, contact emergency services now. In Kenya, call 999, 112 or 911. Outside Kenya, use the emergency number for your location.

## Related questions

- [Can children have physiotherapy?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-children-receive-physiotherapy)
- [Can older adults benefit from physiotherapy?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-older-adults-benefit-from-physiotherapy)
- [Can physiotherapy be combined with medication or injections?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-physiotherapy-be-combined-with-medication-or-injections)

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**About Tymira Health:** Tymira Health is a healthcare technology company based in Nairobi, Kenya. It builds Tymira360, a practice management and EHR platform for mental health, physiotherapy and dental providers, clinics, hospitals, NGOs and insurers across Africa.

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