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Services:
Unfortunately, many people associate the term “chronic
pain” with a condition that has no chance of improving.
The term chronic is actually a reference of time usually
three to six months and beyond that a condition has persisted.
Actually, many people with chronic pain can have their
symptoms alleviated or at least improved by physical therapy
intervention.
It is expected that most injuries will heal within a time
frame of three to six months if not sooner. The pain associated
with the injury should gradually improve as the injury
heals. When such improvement does not occur, it may be
an indication that surgical or other corrective medical
intervention is needed. More likely it is an indication
that the injury has not had an environment supportive
of the normal healing process.
Too much or too little activity after an injury can threaten
a good recovery and cause lingering pain. Physical therapy
intervention with chronic pain focuses on assessing the
patient’s controllable factors of healing. Has the patient
developed stiffness/hypomobility or did an injury lead
to instability/hypermobility? Has normal strength been
restored to the muscles around the injured site in order
to safely perform home and work duties? Does the patient
persist with poor postures and work habits that continually
stress and re-aggravate the injury so as to disrupt normal
recovery? All such factors can be assessed and targeted
through a customized plan of treatment. In many cases
treatment allows normal healing to proceed and the chronic
pain can be eliminated.
Initially, physical therapy modalities including such
things as electric stimulation and ultrasound as well
as heat and/or ice may be combined with manual therapies
including massage and joint mobilization techniques to
decrease the patient’s pain. These treatments are often
very important for initial pain relief allowing for targeted
exercises to be started. These exercises aid in the restoration
of normal strength and flexibility needed to return to
regular daily activities without re-injury and return
of pain.
Lastly, it must be noted that in some cases of chronic
pain the goal of complete and sustained relief of pain
may not be realistic. Some cases of degenerative joint
disease, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia etc. are better
dealt with in terms of controlling symptoms and maximizing
daily functioning. In such cases physical therapy will
continue to evaluate the previously mentioned, controllable
factors. A customized program of targeted intervention
will be provided so as to maximize function or at least
prevent progressive mobility and strength loss that may
lead to further injury, pain and suffering. |
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