Physical Therapy Techniques to Effectively Manage Chronic Pain

Understanding Physical Therapy for Chronic Pain

If you suffer from chronic pain, physical therapy can be an effective way to find relief. Physical therapists use a variety of hands-on techniques and targeted exercises to help patients reduce pain, restore mobility, regain function, and improve quality of life.

How Physical Therapy Helps With Chronic Pain

Physical therapists take a whole-body approach to treating chronic pain. They don't just look at the part of your body that hurts. They examine your posture, flexibility, strength, movement patterns and lifestyle to gain insight into what may be causing or contributing to your pain.

From there, they can create a customized treatment plan that addresses the underlying issues and provides effective solutions to help manage your pain. Some of the ways physical therapy can help with chronic pain include:

• Increasing blood flow to promote healing
• Relieving muscle tension and spasms
• Improving flexibility and range of motion
• Correcting postural imbalances
• Restoring normal joint motion
• Strengthening weak muscles
• Re-training proper movement patterns

Physical Therapy Treatment Techniques

Physical therapists have many weapons in their arsenal to combat chronic pain. The specific techniques your therapist uses will depend on your individual condition and needs. Common physical therapy treatments for pain include:

• Your PT Doc may use hands-on soft tissue techniques like massage, trigger point release or instrument-assisted techniques to loosen tight muscles and relieve spasms.
• Joint mobilization and manipulation can help restore normal motion in joints that have become restricted.
• Therapeutic exercise utilizes targeted strengthening, flexibility, balance and coordination drills to improve function.
• Modalities like heat, ice, ultrasound and electrical stimulation interrupt pain signals and promote healing.
• Gait training helps you relearn proper walking and movement mechanics.
• Traction involves gently stretching the spine to relieve pressure on nerves, discs and joints.
• Bracing may provide extra support to unstable joints or spine.

The Benefits of Physical Therapy

The biggest benefit of seeing your PT doc for chronic pain is reducing your discomfort so you can get back to enjoying life. But beyond that, there are many other advantages including:

• Avoiding Surgery - By exploring non-invasive options first, many patients are able to avoid unnecessary surgeries.
• Improved Function - Regaining strength, flexibility and mobility makes it easier to perform daily activities.
• Pain Medication Reduction - As you learn healthier ways to manage pain, you can reduce reliance on pain medication.
• Personalized Treatment - Each session targets your unique issues to deliver customized care.
• Active Approach - You play an active role in your own recovery through exercise.

Chronic Pain Problems Treated by Physical Therapists

Some common chronic pain conditions that can benefit from seeing your PT doc include:

Back Pain

Your PT doc can provide effective relief for all types of back pain including lower back pain, middle back pain and upper back pain. They will evaluate your posture and spine health to pinpoint the source of your discomfort. A customized exercise program focused on strengthening core muscles can help improve spine stability and reduce pain.

Neck Pain

From poor posture to disc problems, there are many causes of chronic neck pain. Your physical therapist will identify impaired motion, muscle tightness, joint restriction or weakness in the neck, shoulders or upper back that could be provoking your pain. Hands-on soft tissue techniques combined with postural correction exercises help ease neck discomfort.

Arthritis Pain

Seeing your PT doc for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis pain enables you to combat pain with movement instead of avoidance. Gentle joint mobilization techniques encourage fluid to lubricate joint spaces. Targeted stretches maintain or improve flexibility while strengthening exercises provide joint stability.

Chronic Headache

If you suffer from chronic tension headaches or chronic migraines, physical therapy can help reduce pain frequency and severity. Your therapist will check for neck impairment, postural dysfunction or movement pattern abnormalities that could be triggering your head pain. Improving flexibility in your neck and upper back alongside exercises to ease muscle tension work to relieve headache pain.

Getting the Most Out of Physical Therapy

To give physical therapy the best chance to manage your chronic pain, keep these key things in mind:

• Your PT Doc Plan - Comply with your recommended home exercise routine to reinforce the gains made in your sessions.
• Track Changes - Keep a pain journal indicating the location, frequency, duration and intensity to share with your therapist.
• Open Communication - Provide regular feedback to your therapist on how the treatments are working.
• Patience Counts - Physical therapy for chronic pain often requires multiple sessions over 4-8 weeks to experience the full benefits.

Finding a Physical Therapist for Chronic Pain

If you think physical therapy for chronic pain may help reduce your discomfort, ask your doctor for a referral today. Your physician can provide a recommendation to your PT doc equipped to manage your unique pain issues and get you on the road to recovery.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.