Chronic pain can impact all areas of your everyday life – it can make it hard to work, sleep, and do the activities that you enjoy. With instances of chronic pain on the rise (it’s estimated that 10 to 20% of the population are experiencing it), an increasing number of people are seeking treatment and management for this ‘invisible disability’.
While chronic pain relief and management can look different for each person, physiotherapy is one of the leading treatment options.
Drawing on their years of experience, the chronic pain physiotherapists at A Pinch of Prevention are well-equipped to help you manage your chronic pain condition. Offering comprehensive, client-focused care, our clinic is committed to taking a holistic approach to getting our patients healthy.
What is Chronic Pain?
This is a term used to describe any persistent pain that lasts for more than three months (or longer than what would be considered a normal healing time). It can range from mild to severe and affects sufferers most days.
There are several different types of chronic pain, including arthritis pain, cancer pain, headache disorders, musculoskeletal pain, and nerve pain to name a few. Many people also experience depression, anxiety, and sleep issues, all of which can further their perception of the pain.
Chronic pain is a complex condition and is unique to each person, which makes it difficult to manage. Even more so when it’s not clear what the cause of their pain is.
How Does it Differ from Acute Pain?
This is a term used to describe pain that is a normal, predicted response to a particular stimulus (such as an injury or surgery). The pain generally develops quickly and doesn’t last long, as the body heals and returns to normal function in a few days, weeks, or months (depending on the nature of the pain and its prescribed treatment).
Physiotherapy vs Pain Medications
While taking pain medication can provide some immediate relief, your tolerance to it will build up and eventually make it no longer effective. Some medications, like opioids, also have a greater risk of addiction and overdose, so relying on them is not an ideal long-term solution.
A chronic pain physiotherapist, however, will guide you through your pain management journey with a plan that is supportive and flexible according to your changing needs. Actively managing your pain daily has been shown to have better results than simply relying on pain medication.
People living with chronic pain often find that physical exercise programs exacerbate their pain, but movement helps your body to heal faster as well as improves your immune system. If you don’t continue to move, your pain will likely worsen and you’ll start to physically decline.
How Can a Chronic Pain Physiotherapist Help?
Your physiotherapist will perform a thorough assessment of your condition and create a program specific to your needs based on your physical health, medical history, and current physical function.
During your initial consultation, you may be asked what makes your pain worse, what makes it better, and how it’s holding you back in everyday life. Your physiotherapist may also gently assess your range of motion by manipulating the affected area. Keep in mind that the more your physio knows about the nature of your pain, the more comprehensive the treatment plan they’ll be able to create.
The plan will often include manual therapy, as well as exercises that you can incorporate into your daily life. Other treatments may include:
- Acupuncture
- Assistive devices (such as crutches)
- Dry needling
- Exercise physiology
- Massage
- Mind-body practices
- Rehabilitation
- Therapeutic exercise (such as clinical pilates)
- Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS)
Your physiotherapist in Mt Gravatt will work with you to determine which treatment, or combination of treatments, will work best for your needs.
What Other Benefits Does Physiotherapy Offer?
By seeing a chronic pain physiotherapist, you may also see improvements in your:
- Cardiovascular health
- Confidence
- Flexibility
- Mood and general wellbeing
- Muscle tone
All of these things can help to improve your perception of the pain, which improves your quality of life and makes your condition more bearable.
Kick Chronic Pain to the Kerb with A Pinch of Prevention
It’s never too late to seek out a chronic pain physiotherapist to help with managing your condition. The friendly team at A Pinch of Prevention is committed to helping you achieve your health goals and improve your quality of life, regardless of your chronic pain condition. Don’t resign yourself to living with this pain forever – book an appointment today and let us walk with you on your health journey.
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