Got Chronic Pain? We Got Physical Therapy

As anyone who has ever found themselves in this situation knows – chronic pain is no laughing matter. Whether you are suffering from back pain, neck pain, or pain in another area of your body, chances are your quality of life is drastically impacted by this ongoing issue. Defined as pain that lasts for several months or more, chronic pain is said to affect more than 116 million Americans every single year. Over the years there has been tons of research and in-depth discussions regarding the root cause of chronic pain and what we can do about it. While surgery and pain medication are oftentimes the easy answer for many, there is another option – physical therapy. The more we learn about physical therapy, the more benefits we are seeing for those living with chronic pain.

Those who have experienced extended periods of chronic pain are typically prevented from living a ‘normal’ life and enjoying even the most mundane of tasks. Because of this, they have a greater chance of sustaining other injuries or a healthy lifestyle in general. Many with chronic pain have weakened joints, tissues, and muscles as well as poor range of motion. All of these factors combined not only impact an individual’s current state, but can wreak havoc on their future. With the help of a customized physical therapy program, those living with chronic pain can overcome their issues and work towards living an enjoyable, healthy, and even active lifestyle.

We have learned that physical therapy plays an incredibly vital role in helping patients – of all different ages – overcome chronic pain. Today we are going to look at some of the steps that can be taken to help people deal with – and even remedy – chronic pain.

• Weigh your options. When it comes to living with chronic pain, it’s safe to say an individual’s quality of life is often the thing that suffers most. Once you have made the decision to deal with your chronic pain without the help of surgery or pain pills, you should take the time to weigh your other options. With the help of a physical therapist, you will be able to engage in activities and exercises that will help you safely rehabilitate and live a more enjoyable life.

• Try to get rid of the acute pain before you start. There are many different levels and types of pain, acute being one of them. If you are experiencing acute, debilitating pain, it is important that you try to alleviate this pain before you start exercising. There are a handful of helpful pain-relieving modalities that may be used in conjunction with physical therapy, including:
  • Heat or cold therapy
  • Electrical stimulation
  • Ultrasound
  • Massage therapy
  • Chiropractic care

• Commit to a physical therapy program tailored to your needs. In order for a physical therapy program to be effective in treating your pain the patient will need to commit to this treatment path and engage in active exercises per the therapist’s instructions. The body is made up of many different muscles, tissues, and bones, some of which you may not even realize are impacting your pain directly. If you are experiencing chronic back pain, for example, you will likely need to engage in a combination of stretching, strengthening, and low-impact aerobic exercise.

These are just a few ways that physical therapy can be used to treat chronic pain. To learn more about our Grand Prairie, Bedford or Arlington offerings, please contact Classic Rehab today.