Chronic pain is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, limiting their ability to perform daily activities and affecting their mental and emotional wellbeing. Physical therapy is a non-invasive and effective treatment option for managing chronic pain. In this blog post, we will discuss some advice and strategies for managing chronic pain through physical therapy.
Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for more than 3 months. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, inflammation, or nerve damage. Chronic pain can affect any part of the body, but it is most felt in the back, neck, joints, and muscles.
Chronic pain can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. It can limit their ability to perform daily activities, affect their mood and sleep, and even lead to depression and anxiety. Managing chronic pain is essential to improve quality of life and prevent further complications.
Physical therapy is a non-invasive and effective treatment option for managing chronic pain. Physical therapists are trained to evaluate and diagnose the underlying causes of chronic pain and develop a treatment plan tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
Physical therapy can help manage chronic pain by:
Here are some strategies for managing chronic pain through physical therapy:
Choosing the right physical therapist is crucial for managing chronic pain effectively. Look for a physical therapist who has experience in treating chronic pain and has a good understanding of your specific condition. A physical therapist who specializes in your type of pain is even better.
Setting realistic goals is essential for managing chronic pain. Discuss your goals with your physical therapist and work together to create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. Your physical therapist can help you set achievable goals and monitor your progress over time.
Physical therapy is a process that takes time and commitment. It’s essential to keep up with your treatment plan, attend all your appointments, and do your exercises at home. Consistency is key to managing chronic pain effectively.
In addition to physical therapy, there are several pain management techniques that you can use to manage your chronic
pain. These include:
Discuss these techniques with your physical therapist to see if they are appropriate for your specific condition.
Stay active.
Staying active is essential for managing chronic pain. Regular exercise can help reduce pain and inflammation, improve flexibility and mobility, and prevent further injury. Talk to your physical therapist about what types of exercise are safe and appropriate for your specific condition.
Poor posture and ergonomics can contribute to chronic pain. Practicing good posture and ergonomics can help reduce pain and prevent further injury. Your physical therapist can provide you with advice on how to improve your posture and ergonomics and reduce your risk of pain.
Stress can exacerbate chronic pain. It’s essential to manage stress effectively to reduce pain and improve overall wellbeing. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, and other relaxation techniques can help manage stress and improve quality of life.
A healthy lifestyle can help manage chronic pain. Eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can all help reduce pain and improve overall wellbeing.
In conclusion, chronic pain is a common condition that can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. Physical therapy is a non-invasive and effective treatment option for managing chronic pain. Physical therapists can help reduce pain, improve mobility and flexibility, strengthen muscles, and educate patients on how to manage their chronic pain. By following the strategies outlined in this blog post, you can effectively manage your chronic pain and improve your quality of life. Remember to work closely with your physical therapist, set realistic goals, stay active, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to achieve optimal results.
Cupping therapy, sometimes known as myofascial decompression, is a form of Eastern medicine that has gained popularity in recent years. Cupping therapy involves using cups placed on the skin to form an airtight seal. This seal lifts the skin from the underlying tissues to promote blood flow to the area. In Western medicine, cupping has been used as a complementary medicine to treat pain.
If you are interested in learning more about cupping contact Empower Physical Therapy Today.
Empower Physical Therapy offers Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) to help in the treatment of various conditions and injuries.
IASTM uses hard tools to manipulate soft tissue. It is a popular alternative to traditional manual therapy techniques. Similar to massage, the motions used during IASTM treatments vary in direction, force, and pattern and allow for pressure to be dispersed to the underlying tissues. IASTM instruments vary in material (eg, stainless steel, plastic) and design2 and are used to improve a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.
There are many benefits to the application of IASTM. IASTM has been shown to be effective for treating many conditions, such as:
According to research, both physical therapy prior to and after a joint replacement is ideal to maximize a patient’s recovery. What activities are best to maximize function depends on the patient and his or her individual goals. A licensed physical therapist can make sure that a patient’s goals are met.
Therapy prior to surgery involves working with a physical therapist to strengthen muscles around the joint being operated on and to also maximize range of motion in the operative joint as well as surrounding joints. By putting the time in to get strong prior to surgery patients will be more likely to be mobile sooner after surgery and will be set up for success just a few days post op.
Post surgical therapy is equally important to get patients to the same level of function that they were at prior to surgery. This will include pain management, range of motions, strengthening and functional activities.
A licensed physical therapist at Empower PT will work closely with your surgeon to ensure that you maximize your surgical outcomes. Empower will help you get back to life in no time.
Rehabilitation strategies for optimization of functional recovery after major joint replacement: Thomas Bandholm,1,2,3 Thomas W. Wainwright,4 and Henrik Kehlet5 Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer
Empower Physical Therapy offers dry needling as a type of manual therapy for helping manage certain conditions that other manual therapy techniques may have difficulty treating. When performed by a physical therapist, dry needling involves the use of thin filiform needles inserted to target trigger points in the body. Dry needling can help to help relieve points of pain that your physical therapist cannot reach through manual therapy. Dry needling is different from acupuncture and is supported by a body of medical research. Dry needling can help with:
Dry Needling or DN, is also known as Intramuscular Manual Therapy or IMT. Some practitioners and researchers may refer to it as Trigger Point Dry Needling or TDN. When performed by a doctor of physical therapy in conjunction with manual therapies and other treatments, dry needling can allow for muscle spasms to relax, while inhibiting pain at both the local and larger systemic level.
Many patients report feeling immediate relief from pain with dry needling. This relief can last anywhere from just a few hours to days or even weeks. Dry needling can also help to restore muscle function and range of motion by helping to take pain out of the equation.
Dry needling is also used as a complement to other manual therapies and treatments. The frequency of a patient’s dry needling treatments will be tailored to their specific needs and treatment plan. Following a thorough evaluation from your licensed physical therapist or doctor of physical therapy, a custom-tailored, personal treatment plan will be drawn up to meet your individual needs as a patient. This treatment plan may include dry needling.
Following a dry needling treatment, many patients report feeling some soreness; this is normal and temporary. There may also be some bruising in the area of the treatment. The risk of infection from dry needling is remote, as only disposable, single-use, sterile needles are used for treatment.
There are many conditions that can benefit from dry needling in conjunction with other manual therapy techniques, other treatments, and exercises. These conditions include:
Please note: Dry needling may not available in all locations due to state regulations.
Chronic pain is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, limiting their ability to perform daily activities and affecting their mental and emotional wellbeing. Physical therapy is a non-invasive and effective treatment option for managing chronic pain. In this blog post, we will discuss some advice and strategies for managing chronic pain through physical therapy.
Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for more than 3 months. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, inflammation, or nerve damage. Chronic pain can affect any part of the body, but it is most felt in the back, neck, joints, and muscles.
Chronic pain can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. It can limit their ability to perform daily activities, affect their mood and sleep, and even lead to depression and anxiety. Managing chronic pain is essential to improve quality of life and prevent further complications.
Physical therapy is a non-invasive and effective treatment option for managing chronic pain. Physical therapists are trained to evaluate and diagnose the underlying causes of chronic pain and develop a treatment plan tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
Physical therapy can help manage chronic pain by:
• Reducing pain: Physical therapists use a variety of techniques, such as manual therapy, graded exposure, and modalities, to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Improving mobility and flexibility: Chronic pain can limit a person’s range of motion and flexibility. Physical therapy can help improve mobility and flexibility through exercises and stretches that target specific muscle groups.
• Strengthening muscles: Weak muscles can contribute to chronic pain. Physical therapy can help strengthen muscles through exercises that target specific muscle groups, helping to reduce pain and prevent further injury. • Educating patients: Physical therapists can provide patients with education on how to manage their chronic pain, including advice on lifestyle changes, posture, and ergonomics.
Here are some strategies for managing chronic pain through physical therapy:
Choosing the right physical therapist is crucial for managing chronic pain effectively. Look for a physical therapist who has experience in treating chronic pain and has a good understanding of your specific condition. A physical therapist who specializes in your type of pain is even better.
Setting realistic goals is essential for managing chronic pain. Discuss your goals with your physical therapist and work together to create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. Your physical therapist can help you set achievable goals and monitor your progress over time.
Physical therapy is a process that takes time and commitment. It’s essential to keep up with your treatment plan, attend all your appointments, and do your exercises at home. Consistency is key to managing chronic pain effectively.
In addition to physical therapy, there are several pain management techniques that you can use to manage your chronic pain. These include:
• Deep breathing exercises
• Meditation and mindfulness practices
• Heat and cold therapy
• Massage therapy
• Dry Needling
Discuss these techniques with your physical therapist to see if they are appropriate for your specific condition.
Staying active is essential for managing chronic pain. Regular exercise can help reduce pain and inflammation, improve flexibility and mobility, and prevent further injury. Talk to your physical therapist about what types of exercise are safe and appropriate for your specific condition.
Practice good posture and ergonomics.
Poor posture and ergonomics can contribute to chronic pain. Practicing good posture and ergonomics can help reduce pain and prevent further injury. Your physical therapist can provide you with advice on how to improve your posture and ergonomics and reduce your risk of pain.
Stress can exacerbate chronic pain. It’s essential to manage stress effectively to reduce pain and improve overall wellbeing. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, and other relaxation techniques can help manage stress and improve quality of life.
A healthy lifestyle can help manage chronic pain. Eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can all help reduce pain and improve overall wellbeing.
In conclusion, chronic pain is a common condition that can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. Physical therapy is a non-invasive and effective treatment option for managing chronic pain. Physical therapists can help reduce pain, improve mobility and flexibility, strengthen muscles, and educate patients on how to manage their chronic pain. By following the strategies outlined in this blog post, you can effectively manage your chronic pain and improve your quality of life. Remember to work closely with your physical therapist, set realistic goals, stay active, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to achieve optimal results.
Do you feel dizzy when you sit up in bed or after lying down? Does turning your head when you walk throw you off balance? If yes, you may need a Physical Therapist that is a specialist in treating balance problems and dizziness. This type of physical therapy is called Vestibular Rehabilitation.
Vestibular Physical Therapy is an area of specialty that requires additional training and certification above and beyond the Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree. Some common vestibular disorders that can respond to physical therapy treatment include Vestibular Neuritis, Ménière’s disease and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.
At Empower Physical Therapy we employ many Vestibular specialists at several of our clinics. Please search our locations to find a Vestibular Physical Therapist near you.
The most common vestibular disorder is called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo or BPPV. BPPV is characterized by temporary dizziness associated with blurred vision in relation to certain head positions. The reason the dizziness occurs with head movement is because you have small crystals in your ear that can become dislodged for unknown reasons. These crystals then become loose in either your anterior, posterior or medial semi-circular canals. These canals contain fluid and hair that senses the position of your head in space. When the crystals become dislodged and are floating in these canals then it causes dizziness when the head is moved. BPPV typically happens to individuals over 50 years of age.
A certified certified physical therapist can help in the treatment of vertigo by performing one of many manual therapy treatment options. The most common is the The Epley Maneuver which is very effective often with one attempt.
The Epley Maneuver is simple to perform with the help of a doctor of physical therapy. During the Epley Manuever, the patient is seated and the physical therapist turns the patient’s head forty-five degrees horizontally, toward the ear that is causing the vertigo symptoms. Then the patient is tilted backward into a completely horizontal position, keeping the head tilted toward the affected ear. The patient then is held in this position for roughly a minute and a half, or until the sensation of vertigo subsides. Finally, the physical therapist will roll the patient toward and onto the affected ear. This maneuver should only be performed by a health care professional with advanced training in vestibular rehabilitation.
Not one treatment works for everyone with Vestibular Conditions. Other treatments your physical therapist may implement may include but are not limited to:
Are you suffering from pain? Empower Physical Therapy offers services and treatment for a number of painful conditions and/or chronic pain. In fact, physical therapy has been shown to be an effective and conservative form of treatment for managing pain conditions. Treatment may include both manual therapy and strengthening exercises to correct underlying issues and provide lasting relief from pain over time.
Pain that stems directly from an injury, surgery, or disease, and chronic pain can be treated through manual therapy and other techniques employed by doctors of physical therapy. Pain can severely affect a person’s quality of life. Pain impairs function, restricts range of motion, and keeps a person from working or enjoying the activities that give them joy, peace, and happiness.
Physical therapy can relieve the symptoms associated with acute and chronic pain as well as restore function. Our trained certified physical therapists work with our patients to evaluate their unique condition and to devise a treatment plan that can reduce or completely eliminate pain.
Acute pain from injury is pain that lasts for a short time following an injury or surgery. It can be treated by physical therapy, thereby restoring strength, range of motion, and agility. This occurs through a variety of manual therapies and other techniques and exercises performed at appointments, as well as outside of a clinical setting by the patient on their own at home. The same is also true for chronic pain.
Chronic pain, however, differs from acute pain. While a person is healing from injury, illness, or surgery, pain signals travel from the site of the injury and other affected tissues through the body’s central nervous system, and eventually to the brain. For most people, this pain ends when the affected tissues are healed. Chronic pain is different, though. In some cases of chronic pain, the body continues to send pain signals to the brain. In other cases, the brain interprets other signals from the body as pain.
Regardless of the type of acute or chronic pain a person is experiencing, a doctor of physical therapy can evaluate, treat, and help to manage pain as part of a regular course of treatment. Pain medications may help with acute and chronic pain on a short-term basis, but they can also have serious, associated side effects that make them less than ideal for treating pain on a long-term basis.
Physical therapy, on the other hand, treats and manages pain by addressing underlying conditions, restoring and increasing the body’s function, strength, and range of motion. Therapies that address pain may include:
Deep tissue massage and other manual therapies that relieve pain and tension in the body’s muscles and connective tissues through direct pressure.
Hot and cold treatments that draw oxygen and blood to the affected areas, relieving pain and inflammation.
Function and activity training that provides patients with alternative ways of performing tasks and engaging in activities in a controlled manner that lessens their pain and the potential for re-injury.
Aquatic therapy is physical therapy that takes place in a pool or other aquatic environment under the supervision of a trained healthcare professional. Aquatic therapy is also known as water therapy, aquatic rehabilitation, aqua therapy, pool therapy, therapeutic aquatic exercise or hydrotherapy.
In the United States, those who can perform aquatic therapy are legally regulated medical professionals with the correct scope of practice and the ability to use the Aquatic therapy is considered an add-on certification for physical therapists and athletic trainers who often work closely with occupational therapists and exercise physiologists to develop a plan of care for each client.
Common goals of aqua therapy programs include:
Aquatic therapy is different from aquatic exercise or aquatic fitness because it is a physical therapy and rehabilitation specialty that requires the involvement of a trained professional. It is covered by many insurance providers due to the personalized nature of the treatment. Aquatic exercise does not need to be supervised by a trained professional. It is also not covered by insurance, and it often takes place in a group setting that includes multiple people with different levels of physical fitness.
Aquatic therapy should not be confused with adaptive aquatics, either. Adaptive aquatics is the process of teaching people with disabilities how to swim safely in the water.
At Empower Physical Therapy, our therapy team will work closely with all parties involved to get an injured worker back to the job site as quickly and efficiently as possible. Our team will ensure excellent case management, cost containment and successful return to work. We have a variety of services that address the needs of the injured worker and our teams receive additional training to make sure they are providing the best care for the injured worker.
Contact Empower Physical Therapy today to learn more about our programs.
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