Physical therapy is a rehabilitative method for managing and treating long-term pain, often called chronic pain, or an injury in any part of the body that interferes with mobility and functionality. It is best to seek a physical therapist who has a wide range of treatment options instead of suffering through the bed.
According to a survey, more than 50 million people in the world experience chronic pain every day and end up taking heavy opioid medications. Although taking opioids might help with pain temporarily, many patients can get addicted to taking these drugs which is a common problem among patients with chronic pain.
It is always a good idea to seek professional help at the right time especially when you are dealing with pain for a long time. With a suitable physical therapy and pain management approach, you can easily get rid of the pain that hinders your day-to-day activities due to a lack of mobility or function in your muscles. A professional physical therapist will use a number of techniques, specialized exercises, and equipment to improve the patient’s condition.
How Can Physical Therapy Help with Chronic Pain?
If you have been suffering from chronic pain for most of your life, you do realize how debilitating and frustrating it can be to not be able to perform simple tasks like walking, squatting, or climbing the stairs. People suffering from conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other chronic conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system are usually not able to lead their best lives due to restricted movements and constant pain.
Taking up physical therapy or physiotherapy can help people get rid of such issues and lead a normal, active life again. There are multiple physical therapy benefits that help cure chronic pains caused by injuries or diseases. It helps with
- Reducing feelings of pain
- Strengthening muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Restoring balance when imbalances are present
- Improving the range of motion
- Addressing issues like scar tissue
- Improving general functioning
When To Seek a Physical Therapist?
A physical therapist has the professional expertise, experience, and qualifications to find out the real underlying problem that might be the reason for the pain that you are experiencing. By combining different methods, techniques, and exercise plans, your therapist will help you regain movement in your stiff muscles and relieve pain.
If you think that the pain in your muscles is impacting your movement and deteriorating the quality of your life, it is high time that you start at a physical rehab to seek professional assistance. Many times, your doctor might recommend you to a physical therapist after an injury or disease for further treatment if they deem it necessary. Conditions that warrant a visit to the best physical therapist that you can find include,
- Lower back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Neck pain
- Bursitis or tendonitis
- Foot and ankle dysfunction
- Lumbar stabilization
- Muscle strains
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Herniated discs
- Leg pain
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Sciatica pain
- Fractures
- Arthritis
- Overuse injuries
- Tennis/Golfer Elbow
- Nerve injuries
- Sports injuries
- Fibromyalgia
- Diseases like Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis
Most conditions causing pain and limited movement can be treated with physical therapy.
Types of Physical Therapy
There are two types of physical therapy; Passive Physical Therapy and Active Physical Therapy.
Passive Physical Therapy
This type of physical therapy involves the patient lying still while the physical therapist applies different treatments to treat the pain.
Some of the Passive Physical Therapy treatments include,
- Hot or Cold Packs – Applying hot or cold packs can help reduce the stiffness or inflammation in the muscles that help with pain relief.
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS) – Electrical impulses are passed through the skin of the affected area for relieving the pain by overriding the pain signals that are being sent to the brain.
- Iontophoresis – Electrical current is used to force the steroid to absorb under the skin to help with the inflammation and pain.
- Laser Therapy – Photons penetrate the skin to reduce inflammation and pain.
- Ultrasound – Sound waves are used to penetrate the soft tissues of the body to treat inflammation and stiffness.
- Massage Therapy – This helps reduce swelling, inflammation, and muscle stiffness.
Active Physical Therapy
This type of Physical Therapy involves active patient participation under the guidance of a professional. Few of these treatments include,
- Range of motion exercises – For targeting specific areas of muscles and moving limbs beyond the point of pain to help with mobility.
- Dynamic Lumbar Stabilization – Back stretches and similar exercises are included to help with neck or back pain.
- McKenzie Approach – Extending the spin to localize the pain away from limbs or arm and directing it to the back where the pain is more tolerated.
- Aquatic Exercise – Buoyancy of water helps to relieve the pressure on the spine that allows patients to work on the muscles without any pain.
Consult a Physical Therapist Today for an Active, Healthy Life
There are countless physical therapy benefits that can help the patients experiencing chronic pain due to any injury or disease. Seeking a professional’s assistance can help you understand how to manage the pain and get rid of it completely through a combination of physical exercises and therapeutic, holistic approaches.
