Pain Conditions

Treatment of Pain Conditions

Are you suffering from a painful musculoskeletal condition? You’re not alone. In fact, roughly half of all Americans over the age of 18 suffer from painful musculoskeletal injuries every year. Thankfully, relief is available, and in many cases without the added risks of prescription drugs or surgical procedures.

At our facilities, we offer customized physical therapy services and treatments for a wide variety of pain conditions, including chronic pain. In fact, because physical therapy includes both manual therapy and strengthening exercises to correct underlying issues, it is proven to be one of the most effective, holistic, and conservative forms of treatment for managing pain and its associated conditions.

The Difference Between Acute and Chronic Pain

Pain comes in two forms: acute pain and chronic pain. Acute pain is categorized as pain that lasts for a short time following injury or surgery. This type of pain is quickly and easily treated by physical therapy because PT effectively restores the patient’s strength, agility, and range of motion through the implementation of a variety of manual therapies and various techniques, including exercises performed at appointments. These exercises may also be required to be practiced outside of a clinical setting by the patient while at home.

Chronic pain is a much more serious and long-lasting problem. It can be caused by many sources, including injury, surgery, or disease. In many cases, the pain can be so intrusive and debilitating that it can severely affect a person’s quality of life. Chronic pain impairs one’s function and range of motion, and it can even keep a person from working or enjoying the activities that give them joy, peace, and happiness.

For most people suffering from acute pain, the pain ends when tissues that have been affected are healed. Chronic pain, however, is not the same. In some cases of chronic pain, the body continues to signal pain to the brain, while for other people, the brain interprets ongoing signals from the body as pain.

Finding Chronic Pain Relief Through Physical Therapy

Unfortunately, one of the most common treatments used by doctors to treat chronic pain has been prescription drugs. These not only add a heightened risk of addiction, but they also only serve to mask the pain instead of treating the underlying cause. However, physical therapy can relieve the symptoms associated with acute and chronic pain, while targeting the underlying cause of the pain. This way, a patient can enjoy a more complete and thorough recovery.

Our highly trained certified physical therapists work with our patients to evaluate their unique experiences and to devise customized treatment plans that can effectively reduce or completely eliminate pain. Our Physical Therapists goal is to return patients to a life of health and wellness.

Get Help for Acute and Chronic Pain With Physical Therapy

Whether you’re suffering from acute or chronic pain, physical therapy can help you return to a life of less or no pain. Our Doctors of Physical Therapy at OPT have the training and experience necessary to evaluate, treat, and help manage pain through a custom course of treatment.

Physical therapy is the safest and most effective means of treating and managing most causes of pain because it addresses underlying conditions and restores or increases the body’s range of motion, function, and strength. Although all of our treatment plans are customized to meet the patient’s unique needs, you can expect your plan to feature a combination of the following:

  • Deep tissue massage (together with other manual therapies) reduce pain while relieving tension in muscles and connective tissues. This occurs through direct pressure.
  • Hot and cold treatments draw blood and oxygen to areas that have been affected, providing relief from pain and inflammation.
  • Function and activity training provide alternative ways of performing tasks and engaging in activities. This is done in a controlled manner in order to mitigate pain and re-injury potential.

Why continue dealing with acute or chronic pain when help is available? Call us today or click here to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed and certified physical therapists and start your journey back to a pain-free life.