If you have chronic pain, chances are you have tried a bunch of different medications to try and alleviate it. If that hasn’t worked, it’s time to try something else, like physical therapy.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain refers to pain symptoms that are experienced frequently for longer than a few weeks. It is often associated with long-term or chronic diseases and conditions, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, a herniated disc, or a ligament/tendon injury. As such, treating chronic pain first starts with treating the underlying cause. However, this isn’t always possible, particularly with chronic lifelong conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis.
For pain caused by such issues, the primary goal is to manage the pain symptoms, so you can enjoy a good quality of life for as long as possible. In most cases, you need to have a multi-faceted approach to controlling chronic pain. This would include pain medication, physical therapy, steroid injections, and other methods.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a way to improve the body’s physical functions and reduce pain symptoms through physical movements and treatments. Physical therapy includes exercises, stretches, ice and heat therapy, massages, and other methods. The goal of physical therapy is to help you move and feel better, that way you can live a more enjoyable life.
Physical therapy is used for a multitude of issues, including pre- and post-surgery recovery, post-injury recovery, and for managing chronic conditions, like arthritis. It boosts healing by improving blood circulation, can prevent the buildup of scar tissue after surgery, and strengthens the body. For chronic pain, physical therapy improves the strength, flexibility, and mobility in parts of the body that are suffering from chronic pain. For example, a person with arthritic pain in a knee can benefit from physical therapy because it will strengthen the muscles around the damaged knee joint. As a result, when the knee is moved, the strengthened muscles will be able to take on some of the pressure from the joint, which will reduce pain.
Additionally, physical therapy can help you learn how to move. People with chronic pain may be standing, walking, exercising, or even sleeping in positions that are exasperating their symptoms. Physical therapists can analyze how you do these tasks and make recommendations for improvement.
Finally, physical therapy is a great way to keep physically active. Chronic pain is a significant problem for those who do not exercise and for those who live a sedentary lifestyle. Physical therapy can help you get moving, so you exercise in a manageable and safe way. Many forms of chronic pain are worsened by being overweight. By being physically active, you can burn calories and lose some weight. In a majority of cases, simply losing some weight helps reduce chronic pain significantly.
Physical Therapy for Chronic Pain in Johnson City, Tennessee
Watauga Multi-Specialty Orthopaedics delivers advanced orthopaedic care to the tri-cities and is a one-stop facility that can provide you with all your orthopaedic needs, including physical therapy.
To schedule an appointment with our experienced physical therapists, call (423) 282-9011. You can also request an appointment online.
