Physical therapy is a valuable tool in the management of chronic pain. With physical therapy, people can reduce their pain levels and improve their quality of life despite an underlying health condition, such as arthritis or after a serious injury or surgery. Here are just some of the numerous benefits that physical therapy offers for individuals who wish to move independently, safely and without pain.
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy (PT) is a branch of healthcare which focuses on the evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal movement. Customized according to patient need and desired therapeutic goals, a physical therapy plan may involve targeted exercises, manual (hands-on) therapies and other techniques to help individuals move efficiently and safely and to manage pain and stiffness. Overall, the many treatment modalities physical therapy employs help people improve their quality of life.
What Does a Physical Therapy Evaluation Involve?
When a patient comes into our Sherman, TX, physical therapy clinic, that individual is evaluated by one of our highly qualified physical therapists. This extensive head to toe assessment is called a Functional Capacity Evaluation, or FCE, and it provides the physical therapist measurable data on:
- Level and location of chronic pain
- Muscular strength and endurance
- Cardiovascular endurance
- Range of motion, particularly in the area of pain
- Balance
- Coordination
- Gait
- Posture
- Tolerance for work and performance of certain tasks
Using the results of the functional capacity evaluation, along with an in-depth discussion with the patient regarding medical history, symptoms and limitations, the physical therapist develops a comprehensive care plan.
Care plans are fully customized to each patient and periodically updated for the best long-term results. Communication between therapist and patient is key to arriving at and updating plans throughout the course of rehabilitation. It’s important to be specific about the severity and location of pain and to let the therapist know what treatments seem to work well to relieve pain and which do not.
How Does Physical Therapy Help with Chronic Pain?
Physical therapists use evidence-based methods to reduce levels of chronic pain while restoring musculoskeletal function and promoting circulation and healing. They also can help individuals identify the causes of chronic pain which may include poor posture, weak muscles, or incorrect movement patterns. Through a combination of treatments including manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and other modalities, physical therapists can help people manage chronic pain in the least invasive and most natural ways possible.
Common elements of many plans of care include:
- Stretching and strengthening exercises (both active and passive)
- Application of heat or cold
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS
- Massage
- Ultrasound therapy
- Splints and braces
- Use of durable medical equipment (DRE), such as walkers, canes, wheelchairs and crutches
Physical therapists strive to uncover and properly address the underlying causes of pain–not just mask them temporarily. On the other hand, patients need to take small steps toward realistic goals. It is true teamwork which helps people manage their chronic pain and hopefully avoid surgery, heavy pain medications and other more invasive procedures.
By following physical therapy guidance, people with chronic pain can make significant strides toward managing their conditions and living active lives. Therapists are not only trained to reduce current chronic pain issues but also to prevent future flare-ups and disability.
The goal is always to optimize movement and function, and therefore, manage episodes of chronic pain so life has fewer limitations and more possibilities. When chronic pain is managed effectively, it is like a huge weight has been lifted off that individual’s shoulders.
Physical Therapist in Sherman, TX
At Carrus Health–Rehab Hospital, our physical therapy team understands the complexities and challenges of living with chronic pain. Whether you have fibromyalgia, phantom pain from an amputation, osteoarthritis or other painful condition, we can help you manage it for a better quality of life.
Our inpatient physical therapy services are cutting edge and evidence-based, and our team gets results for patients who desire to reclaim independence and function and to manage pain and other symptoms. We combine skill with compassion for excellent therapeutic outcomes.
To learn more about what Carrus Health–Rehabilitation Hospital offers, call us at (903) 870-2000. We are here to help!
