Caitlyn Physical therapy for pain management has been shown to be very effective. Physical therapy can be used to treat a variety of sources of chronic painful pain, such as the following: Osteoarthritis. Fibromyalgia. Chronic migraine headaches. Rheumatoid arthritis and nerve root problems. And, of course, back problems.
Appointment with the physical therapist
Before a patient begins physical therapy for pain, she or he must first meet with a reputed physical therapist from OHR medical services. The physical therapist serves as the patient’s advocate in many matters, such as consultation with a doctor, ordering diagnostic tests, and so on. The therapist also assists the patient with exercises that will help her or him to manage pain and improve strength. In fact, exercise is very helpful for managing many kinds of pain. Many physical therapy exercises focus on stretching and strengthening of the muscles of the legs and back, as well as the abdomen. These exercises can also improve range-of-motion and muscle tone.
Nonopioid therapies are those that do not rely on the use of pharmaceuticals like opioids. Nonopioid physical therapy for pain focuses on massage, electrical stimulation, heat, and stretching. Massage is particularly helpful for low back issues. Electrotherapy can target specific areas of the back or the neck and help to reduce inflammation. Stretching is useful for low back pain sufferers, but may not be recommended for patients with a history of injury or muscular weakness.
Manual therapy for pain management includes many common activities, such as stretches and exercises. These kinds of therapies are sometimes referred to as “manual therapy for pain management.” Examples include gentle stretching, such as with a heating element or massage, and manual therapy exercise classes that use push-ups, crunches, and other static exercises. Some manual therapy treatment options may require the use of weights or hand-held weights to stretch muscles or increase strength. This is especially common for non-steroidal types of therapies, such as ultrasound or laser therapy.
Chiropractic practice also used
Physical therapy also includes chiropractic care. In this case, a licensed chiropractor will use his or her hands to realign the spine of a patient. This approach works to reduce pain in several areas of the body, including the joints. In some cases, chiropractic care for pain management may include spinal manipulation, which improves the function of the joints and reduces stiffness and pain.
When a patient feels mild to moderate discomfort, they may seek therapy that focuses on reducing discomfort and improving mobility. For example, massage therapy works to decrease pain by relaxing the patient. Massage increases the patient’s range-of-motion, which helps them maintain a level of energy. Some exercise therapy options may also work toward improving mobility, including stretching exercises. Some individuals may benefit from heat therapy, especially when they experience pain in the upper extremities.
Treating pain management with physical therapy
A physical therapist may choose to combine one or more of these different forms of therapy for pain management. Some patients only receive massage therapy, while others only receive exercise or heat therapy. The number of treatments varies by each physical therapist, but they typically provide patients with at least one session that focuses on one particular technique or symptom. This allows the therapist to determine which techniques are most effective and which treatments give the best results. Some therapists combine cold and hot therapies, for instance, in order to provide an individualized form of exercise and massage.
In the case of a patient who experiences chronic pain or injury, the physical therapy and exercise may progress toward rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is often necessary after severe injury or surgery. However, sometimes patients are not given enough chance to get used to exercise and physical therapy after an injury or surgery. For this reason, it is important to consider therapy for pain management if you are struggling with pain or if you have an ongoing problem with pain.
