Physical Therapy for chronic pain is an approach that empowers individuals to regain control of their lives, begin moving their bodies in less painful ways, and start their journey to a pain-free lifestyle. Chronic pain is defined as pain that is debilitating and persists longer than the healing times impacting a patient’s quality of life, daily activities, and mental health. This blog post provides effective strategies that are provided by physical therapists for pain management.
When dealing with individuals who suffer from chronic pain, it is important to provide patients with an individualized plan of care that is tailored to their specific needs. These treatment plans typically focus on appropriate dosing of exercise, hydration levels, quality of sleep, daily nutrition, and activity levels. There is not always a specific anatomical source of a patient’s pain and it is important to look at biological, sociological, and psychological factors that could be influencing a patient’s outcomes. This type of personalized care provided by a doctor of physical therapy provides a holistic approach to healing.
Physical therapists help to empower individuals who suffer from pain to take control of their health. Techniques are used in treatment such as high-intensity interval training to improve blood perfusion to the pain-provoking tissues, mobility and stretching to alleviate positional pain, and body mechanic assessments to increase participation in prior activities. This recovery process allows patients to begin participating in activities in the community and gym without fear of injury.
Exercise-based treatments provided by performance physical therapists often include an educational process on pain science. Fear-avoidance behaviors can be common in individuals with chronic pain following an injury due to anxiety of reinjury or increased pain. Physical therapists empower patients to understand their condition, recognize tissue healing times, improve coping strategies, and begin moving their bodies in non-pain-provoking ways. Physical therapists foster a collaborative approach to treatment focusing on a patient-centered approach.
Without skilled healthcare professionals, a patient might experience chronic pain for the rest of their lives. By seeking out physical therapy services, patients are provided with a comprehensive and empowering approach to a pain-free lifestyle. MotionRX, a performance physical therapy clinic, focuses on self-management techniques, education on condition, exercise prescription, and pain management techniques for regaining control of one’s life. Click here to learn how you can start your journey towards living a pain-free lifestyle with a more active, fulfilling life. Remember, your journey starts with taking the first step toward understanding how to manage your pain. Schedule an appointment TODAY!