The Benefits of Physical Rehabilitation for Chronic Pain Management

According to the NIH, roughly 1 in 5 people or 20 percent of the world’s population suffers from chronic pain. According to the CDC, about 20 percent of adults in the United States suffer from chronic pain. In fact, it’s the leading cause of disability and missed work days. Experiencing chronic pain can also be linked to higher instances of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Conventional medicine usually includes opioids for pain management. Unfortunately, powerful pain medications come with risks, including addiction, overdose, and even death. If you’re looking for another way to manage your chronic pain, physical rehabilitation may be the answer. In this article, we’ll cover the benefits of physical rehabilitation for the management of chronic pain.

How Physical Rehabilitation Helps Manage Chronic Pain

Physical rehabilitation is effective at managing chronic pain through targeted exercises, manual therapy, education, functional training, and various modalities.

• Exercise - Physical rehabilitation often starts with targeted exercises in order to help improve flexibility, strength and mobility. When these exercises are performed on a regular basis, both in the office and at home, they can help reduce pain and improve overall function.
• Manual therapy - In addition to specific exercises, therapists also use various hands-on techniques, including massage, mobilization, and manipulation to help relieve pain, reduce stiffness, and improve range of motion.
• Functional training - Sometimes performing everyday tasks can lead to aggravating the source of the chronic pain. Therapists can help individuals learn how to sit and stand, lift and carry, walk and run, and get into and out of bed in a way that reduces the likelihood of further injury.
• Modalities - Physical rehabilitation modalities include the use of heat, cold, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and laser therapy to help manage pain and promote healing.
• Education - Therapists can provide information on pain management strategies, including proper posture and body mechanics as well as ways to promote relaxation. These strategies can help reduce pain and improve quality of life.

The Benefits of Physical Rehabilitation for Chronic Pain Management

The benefits of physical rehabilitation for chronic pain management are numerous. It can lead to improved function and mobility, decreased pain levels, improved quality of life, and reduced reliance on powerful pain medications.

• Improved function and mobility
  Physical rehabilitation exercises and stretches can help improve endurance, strength, flexibility, and mobility, which can increase function and reduce pain.

• Decreased pain levels
  Physical rehabilitation focuses on reducing pain through non-invasive modalities, including the use of heat, cold, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and laser therapy. These treatments can aid in healing as well as reduce inflammation and pain.
• Reduced reliance on pain medication
  As pain levels decrease, you’ll notice that you need fewer pain medications to manage your chronic pain. Using fewer pills can help you reduce the likelihood that you’ll develop a dependency or addiction to your medications.
• Improved overall quality of life
  When pain levels are reduced through physical rehabilitation modalities, your quality of life will improve. You’ll be able to perform your everyday tasks with less pain, and you may even sleep better at night.

Common Conditions Treated with Physical Rehabilitation

Physical rehabilitation can be used to treat a variety of injuries and conditions, including:

• Arthritis
• Lower back pain
• Rebuilding strength after a fracture
• Rebuilding strength and flexibility after a surgery
• Runner’s knee
• Sciatica
• Sprains and strains
• Tennis elbow

Working with a Therapist

When it comes to finding the right therapist near me in The Woodlands, it’s important to look for a therapist with experience and expertise. Great therapists are able to evaluate your injuries and pain levels and come up with a customized treatment plan. They are great communicators and can explain the exercises and stretches clearly while conveying the importance of each movement. They also listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and take safety seriously.

Physical rehabilitation appointments always start with an evaluation. Your first evaluation may be longer than subsequent evaluations. However, they are all designed to determine your injuries and levels of pain and help the therapist develop or modify your treatment plan in order to achieve the best results. After the evaluation, you may be led through some exercises and stretches, receive manual therapy, like massage stretching or joint mobilization, or have various other modalities performed. Your therapist will explain each move or technique and teach you how to perform everyday tasks in order to reduce the risk of experiencing further injuries. If you need or use a cane, walking or other mobility devices, your therapist will teach you how to use it properly.

Conclusion - Summary

The benefits of physical rehabilitation for back pain and other conditions are numerous. By performing targeted exercises and stretches, you’ll be improving your strength, flexibility, and endurance while reducing your pain levels. Our therapist in The Woodlands can develop a customized treatment plan for you so that you can improve your quality of life.

To schedule an evaluation, call us at 281-364-2673.