How to Cope With Severe Pain After Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is an excellent way to heal after an injury or other health condition, but it can be a challenging process. It’s normal to experience some discomfort after your treatment session, but there are ways you can manage it such as applying ice and drinking water.
If you experience severe discomfort after physical therapy, alert your therapist right away so they can adjust the program to meet your requirements. Doing this will guarantee the most successful outcomes.
People may experience pain after a physical therapy session for various reasons. It could be from the exercises or stretches they are doing, or it could be related to an underlying condition. There are ways you can reduce this discomfort, such as taking notes and using TENS or ultrasound therapy to block nerve messages sending pain signals directly to your brain.
After a physical therapy session, it’s wise to put your focus on improving overall wellbeing. Doing this will not only enhance the quality of life but also minimize future pain management needs.
According to ProHealth Physical Therapy and Pilates Studio Founder Dr. Karyn Staples, Ph.D, the first thing that shouldn’t happen after a PT session is pain that feels sharp, stinging, burning or electrical in nature; this could indicate your nerves are being irritated and require further attention.
This pain should subside within a few days and may be indicative of local inflammation the body is trying to heal. Applying ice directly onto the area where you feel the discomfort will help reduce inflammation while also cooling the body so it can eliminate waste products produced during production.
Inflammation is a normal part of the healing process, so it’s normal to experience some swelling or soreness after exercising or stretching. Additionally, drinking plenty of water throughout the day after your physical therapy session helps flush out waste products from your system and promotes better recovery.
Many patients struggle with what constitutes “severe” pain after or during a PT session, and this can be confusing. In general, however, there is no distinction between soreness and true discomfort after such an encounter.
Soreness usually follows physical therapy sessions when muscles become tight and weak, producing lactic acid which causes irritation. This type of pain should subside within a few days after applying ice and stretching to the affected muscle group.
If you have a muscular weakness that causes your soreness to last longer, speak with your therapist about strengthening exercises that can help relieve your discomfort. They may suggest specific stretches and exercises for maximum relief from symptoms of soreness.
