How Physical Therapy Can Be Effective In Treating Chronic Pain

With America’s opioid epidemic as bad as it is, there is never been more interested in how physical therapy and the rehabilitation center can help with chronic pain treatment. People suffering from chronic back pain, joint pain, neck pain are need of real answers. Fortunately chronic pain treatment is available through physical therapy. In fact, physical therapy along with exercise are considered the most mainstream of all nonsurgical and non-medicinal chronic pain treatment. If you are in need of chronic pain treatment, here’s how to get help the most from your physical therapy.

Find The Right Help

Physical therapy is available for many types of pain. Some therapists will specialize in problems of the back, others are experts in sports injuries or rehabilitation after a surgery. Some concentrate on the neck and neck pain treatment, while others are joint pain specialists. Some people need chronic pain treatment after a work injury, a fall, or from repetitive injuries. Look for specialists with a lot of experience in the area where you need help.

Expect to Alleviate Acute Pain First

When acute pain is tormenting you, it can be impossible to even imagine taking part in an active exercise and rehabilitation program such as your physical therapist will recommend. Physical therapists will therefore begin by working with you and your doctor to try to relieve the acute pain and get you to the point where you are able to do some exercise. There are many things that can be done about acute pain including massage therapy, manual manipulation, heat or cold therapy, and electrical stimulation. Once these have provided enough relief, you’re ready to go into active exercise and rehabilitation.

Expect Discomfort When You Start

if you begin an exercise program after having been laid up because of chronic pain or injury, the initial period can be a bit difficult. However the pain that you feel should feel different than your chronic pain. It should feel like “natural pain” such as you would feel after going to the gym or playing a sport that you haven’t done for a while. This signals that you’re getting better and stronger and should encourage you. It will dissipate after while.

Follow Through

Only 35% of patients who go to a physical therapist actually follow through on their plan of care. Physical therapy as chronic pain treatment is useful and effective, but it is only so over time. It won’t happen overnight, and if you give up too early you’ll never enjoy the benefits. So whatever plan you and your physical therapist work out together, keep at it faithfully. Do your stretches, strengthening exercises, and whatever other therapy is recommended.

Get Your Family to Help

When we see someone in pain, our natural reaction is to tell them to sit down and rest. We want to go get them a drink, make them a meal, or just in some way make life easier. Your family will be likely to treat you in this way and encourage you to rest if your exercise seems to be causing you discomfort in any way. Explain to them how important active exercise and rehabilitation is in chronic pain treatment and get them to support and encourage you–possibly even join you–in your exercise program.

Stop if It’s Too Painful

While you should expect some pain, you should definitely stop and contact her physical therapist right away if your exercises or therapy are causing you severe pain. Whatever you do, though, don’t just give up and say nothing. It could be that just one of the exercises is causing the pain, and a small adjustment in your plan could make all the difference.

Physical therapy is one of America’s fastest-growing occupations, with growth levels estimated to go up 25% by 2026. This is due in part to the effectiveness of physical therapy for chronic pain treatment, workplace injuries, and other forms of pain. If you are suffering from chronic pain, don’t hesitate to find out how physical therapy might be able to help you.