Defining Chronic Pain

Whenever a person is injured, pain signals travel from the injury through the spinal cord and to the brain. Pain normally becomes less severe as an injury starts to heal. Chronic pain, however, is different. Your body will keep sending pain signals to your brain, sometimes even after the injury has healed. Chronic pain can last from several weeks to several years. It can hinder your ability to move easily and effectively. Pain can make it difficult to engage in daily activities and complete normal tasks.

Types of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain comes in many forms. It can occur in any part of the body. It can be sharp or dull and intermittent or steady. Chronic pain can affect you more than just physically. It can take a mental and emotional toll as well as drain your energy and motivation. It’s important to address your chronic pain as soon as possible by visiting a Physical Therapist who specializes in Chronic Pain!

• Nociceptive Pain – Nociceptive pain is when the pain is located in the muscles and soft tissues. This is also sometimes referred to as somatic pain. Back pain, pelvic pain, arthritis, and headaches are all considered nociceptive pain. Physical therapy can help reduce and eliminate pain associated with these conditions.
• Neuropathic Pain – This is pain that is associated with actual nerve damage. This type of pain is often more intense and is described as a sharp or stabbing feeling. Phantom limb pain, pain associated with post mastectomy, and diabetic neuropathy are examples of neuropathic pain. A combination of physical therapy, Total Body Vibration therapy, Deep Tissue Laser Therapy and electrotherapy are sometimes used to treat neuropathic pain.

Treating Chronic Pain

While medications can help on a short-term basis, too many people are becoming dependent on them. Fortunately, there are better options for treating your chronic pain. A physical therapist can use several specific methods to treat debilitating pain. The goal of physical therapy services is to increase your flexibility and strength gradually, while reducing your overall pain. Some specific treatment options that may be used include the following:

• Deep Tissue Massage – A physical therapist will relieve tension in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons by applying direct pressure to the affected areas.
• Hot and Cold Treatments – Hot treatments will bring more oxygen and blood to the injured areas. Cold therapies can reduce muscle spasms and inflammation. Physical therapy treatments will sometimes alternate between different types of hot and cold treatments.
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – TENS increases the release of natural endorphins to reduce pain throughout the body. This treatment can be used to reduce pain related to several conditions.
• Deep Tissue Laser Therapy (DTL) – DTL is a great way to help your body heal itself faster. It targets your T-cells which are your body’s natural healing cells. It uses a process similar to photosynthesis to make these cells grow bigger and multiply. This puts “bigger and stronger” cells on the job… the job of healing you!
• Dry Needling – Dry needling is a very effective and popular way of treating chronic pain. Dry Needling uses very tiny thin needles that are inserted into the muscles. It works 4 different ways to eliminate pain, break up muscle knots and spasms and enable the body to heal chronic pain effectively. It is especially good for myofascial pain (including Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Syndrome!)

4 Ways Dry Needling Works:

• Break up muscle spasms and knots
• Breaks up scar tissue that has formed from body not healing properly
• Resets the pain signal from the spine to the muscle
• Stimulates new tissue healing

Physical Therapy & Chronic Pain

Physical therapy can play a crucial role in alleviating and eliminating different types of pain. One of the most important aspects of providing an effective treatment plan for pain is to make sure it is personalized. Our physical therapy provides personalization. A physical therapist will do a comprehensive exam to assess the root cause of chronic pain. Using that information, the therapist will customize an individualized therapy plan.

Physical therapy services are comprised of passive and active treatments. Active treatments are things like therapeutic exercises. Passive treatments are ones where the patient does not actively participate. Passive therapies are usually done hand-in-hand with active therapies. These are things like soft tissue work, trigger point release, dry needling or deep tissue laser. Physical therapists also teach you how to include ergonomic principles in your daily life. The therapists will likely put together a personalized home exercise plan that will be part of your pain management program.

A physical therapist will work closely with you to set goals and manage your individual treatment plan. You and your therapist will ultimately work out a chart for activities and record progress along the way. Your therapist will also help you work through any difficulties and adjust your treatment as needed. The journey to overcome chronic pain and recover functionality and maximum mobility can be long. A qualified physical therapist will help you address obstacles and provide support while providing the best treatment available.

Remember, not all pain is equal. It takes a professional who specializes in treating Chronic Pain to effectively treat all the issues Chronic Pain presents.

Contact Us TODAY at Total Body Therapy & Wellness in Lillington, NC to learn how physical therapy services can help you overcome pain and return to the highest level of functioning possible.