Physical Therapy as the Solution to Chronic Pain

If you are suffering from relentless pain that restricts your physical abilities, you might be a good candidate for physical therapy treatment.

Pain comes in all different shapes and sizes. It can last for days, weeks, or even months, especially if there is an underlying health problem. If your pain lasts for three months (or longer), it’s considered “chronic pain.” Chronic pain can be physically and mentally exhausting. At Advantage Orthopedic PT in Lexington, KY, we have success in the treatment of chronic pain, and we know you have specific needs. Call our office today to schedule an evaluation and kiss chronic pain goodbye, once and for all.

What is the difference between chronic and acute pain?

Chronic pain can be categorized as any ache, soreness, tenderness, irritation, stiffness or discomfort that lasts for three or more months. People may experience chronic pain for many reasons. It’s actually what most people seeking medical help struggle with. Chronic pain can decrease a person’s quality of life by creating opioid dependence, limiting their mobility, and causing them to experience bouts of depression or anxiety. There’s good news though! Physical therapy can be a great option if you’re dealing with chronic pain and want treatment that yields lasting results.

Acute pain is different from chronic pain because it typically goes away without the aid of therapy or surgery in a few hours, days, or weeks. A good example of acute pain would be a minor ankle sprain. This kind of pain dissipates within a few days.

If you think you might have issues with chronic pain due to overuse of certain muscles, or an injury, you should make an appointment with a Lexington, KY physical therapist as soon as possible. They’ll be able to properly assess your condition and take the necessary steps to help you get back to doing the things you love without that nagging pain.

What causes chronic pain?

Neurophysiological issues are the main reason for chronic pain. These consist of illnesses, anxiety and depression, and chronic injuries. These problems are intertwined in a web that causes your neurological system to remain on high alert all the time. Back pain, nerve pain, joint pain, and headaches all fall under the category of chronic pain. It most often happens as a result of one of the following causes:

Accidents

Chronic pain can happen as a result of almost any kind of accident, whether it’s in the workplace or in a car. According to a statistic on OSHA, workplace injuries happen to 2.9 out of every 100 employees. That’s way more common than you might think! This kind of chronic pain does not go away on its own without help. The good news is that all you need to do to get back on the road to recovery, is seek out a physical therapist.

Overuse Injuries

Any part of your body that you repetitively use each day is susceptible to an overuse injury. The way you walk, exercise, walk, work, and even stand can put a strain on your body in the long run. If you aren’t using the proper techniques recommended by a physical therapist, the result is going to be an overuse injury. This will result in your joints and muscles being damaged, thus causing chronic pain problems. For example, you are likely to experience chronic back pain if you perform heavy lifting at work many times a day, with improper techniques. Physical therapy can help you learn how to properly move your body and avoid these issues altogether.

Having Surgery

Oftentimes, surgery is unavoidable. However, while surgery might be necessary, the recovery timeline can be just as painful and difficult to endure. Surgery on a particular part of the body can be enough to fix a structural issue, but sometimes we end up overcompensating in how we move because of the pain we’re feeling. Overcompensation can cause just as much pain after surgery if the movement isn’t corrected. Physical therapy is a great option because of this reason, as it offers post-surgical rehabilitation services which will assist you with relieving pain, reduce your risk of injury in the future, and shorten your overall recovery time.

Can physical therapy really relieve pain?

Physical therapy aims to relieve pain by discovering the cause of it right off the bat instead of covering up symptoms with expensive (and addictive) medications.

Our physical therapists here at Advantage Orthopedic PT are professionally trained experts when it comes to movement and diagnosing physical problems. They know how to properly treat underlying structural causes surrounding those conditions. Each of our patients receives a thorough physical evaluation, where we analyze areas of the body that need to be strengthened, focus on places with limited range of motion, and detect imbalances with gait. All of this aids with pinpointing the underlying causes of your chronic pain.

Your physical therapist will write up a personalized treatment plan just for you. This might include specialized manual therapy technique that will assist with restoring joint movement and soft tissue, pain relieving exercises, and targeted stretching routines to increase your strength. Your treatment plan will consist of in-office treatments, but your therapist will also teach you plenty of things you can do at home to make sure you’re staying active and healthy!

So, what are you waiting for? If you’re ready to stop dealing with chronic pain issues, contact Advantage Orthopedic Physical Therapy Today at Lexington, KY Center to schedule your own consultation. Our physical therapists are ready and available to meet with you and get started on increasing your quality of life with long-lasting pain relief.