Do You Need Physical Therapy With Chronic Pain Syndrome?
When you feel pain, you know there’s an underlying issue that needs attention. Take steps to resolve it so that the discomfort goes away and you can begin feeling better again. The type of discomfort may range from sharp or dull to throbbing, aching, burning or tingling.
The initial step to recovery is discovering what causes your chronic pain. A physical therapist can assist in pinpointing the source of your discomfort by asking questions and performing an exam of how you move and how it makes you feel. They may then teach you ways to modify your movements so as not to exacerbate existing discomfort in the future.
Be honest with your physical therapist about the pain you are experiencing, how it affects your life, and which activities make it worse. They may also inquire about any medications taken and their effect on you.
They can teach you ways to avoid the activities that cause your pain, so that you don’t overuse those muscles and joints. Furthermore, they will demonstrate stretching and strengthening exercises for those muscles responsible for your discomfort.
It’s essential to remember that it may take some time before you see the benefits of your physical therapy work. Set attainable goals and be patient with yourself – your symptoms may not go away immediately, but over time they will start dissipating and you will be able to do more things again.
If you have a chronic condition, physical activity can still be beneficial if you collaborate with your health care provider to develop an exercise program that increases both duration and intensity. Before beginning any new exercise regimen, be sure to discuss with your doctor how much physical activity is safe for you and whether pain medication may be prescribed.
Physical therapists specialize in helping those suffering from chronic pain syndrome, but their treatments may differ. Some use invasive measures like injections while others opt for non-invasive approaches like cognitive-behavioural therapy.
You should seek a physical therapist with extensive experience treating chronic pain syndrome. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) suggests using its Find PT tool to locate a clinic near you. Alternatively, ask friends and family for recommendations or search online to see if any health care providers nearby specialize in treating your condition.
At your initial consultation, a physical therapist will review your medical history and current physical condition, then ask questions to learn more about your pain issues. They then collaborate with you in finding a solution to these problems.
They will assess how you perform movements such as walking or bending over to detect any potential issues that could be contributing to your chronic pain. They then provide instruction on how to correct these movements so they do not exacerbate the discomfort.