Chronic pain can happen to anyone in any part of the body. According to 2019 research by the CDC, 20.4% of adults had chronic pain in the past three months. Chronic pain syndrome can make it difficult to work, engage in recreational activities, and live the life you want. You probably have tried different treatments to help with your chronic pain, such as exercise, medication, or massage therapy. You may even be searching for other ways of treating your pain, which may lead you to ask, “how effective is physical therapy for chronic pain?”
At Backcountry Physical Therapy, our physical therapy services work to comprehensively treat your pain so you can get back to what you love. We offer the best physical therapy in Colorado Springs. Our team will create a treatment plan designed to target your long-term pain to bring you relief. At Backcountry Physical Therapy, we can help reduce your pain, increase your function, and get you back to living the life you want.
Want to know more about physical therapy for chronic pain? Keep reading to discover more about chronic pain syndrome, physical therapy for pain, and the benefits of pain management and physical therapy services.
What is Chronic Pain Syndrome?
Chronic pain syndrome is pain that has persisted for more than 12 weeks. People with chronic pain can experience pain even when there is no tissue damage. Chronic pain can vary in intensity and come and go.
People with painful conditions can experience acute vs. chronic pain, and it’s crucial to understand the difference.
Acute Pain vs. Chronic Pain
Acute pain lasts up to 12 weeks. It is caused by injuring your body. For example, a sprained ankle from a running injury can become swollen and painful. However, as your body heals, the pain goes away allowing you to run again.
Chronic pain lasts longer. Say you sprained your ankle from the same running injury. It becomes swollen and painful, but the tissues begin to heal. Yet, once your ankle has healed by all standards, you still feel pain weeks after the injury. That is an example of chronic pain.
Chronic pain often lasts past the usual healing time for your body. Even when there is no tissue damage, you still experience pain. Dealing with pain on a long-term basis can make it extremely difficult and frustrating to partake in your daily activities. Plus, it can leave you feeling lost about what treatment plans will work for your pain.
Types of Chronic Pain Syndromes
Chronic pain syndrome can happen anywhere in the body. Common areas include the back, knees, and neck. Long-lasting pain can come about for several reasons, such as a car accident, post-surgical pain, or a sports injury. Other types of chronic pain syndromes include:
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Neurogenic pain
- Head pain
- Scar tissue pain
How Effective is Physical Therapy for Chronic Pain
Physical therapy can work toward alleviating your pain. Various treatment options and therapeutic techniques can help you find relief. While chronic pain syndrome requires trial and error, physical therapy can help you restore your body, expand your function, and reduce your pain.
Examples of Physical Therapy for Pain
Physical therapy for pain will target the areas that bring you the most discomfort. Not only do physical therapists work to treat your pain, but they look to identify the source for long-term relief. Your physical therapist will work with you to understand your body’s range of motion, posture, strength, balance, and endurance.
People with chronic pain will complete different exercises to decrease pain, improve mobility, and improve their body’s function. Some examples of physical therapy techniques include:
- Hot/cold treatments
- Cupping
- Balance training
- Stretching
- Ultrasound
- Athletic taping
- Decompression therapy
- Joint manipulation
- Dry needling
- Massage therapy
Treat Your Chronic Pain With Physical Therapy Services From Backcountry Physical Therapy
Chronic pain can make it hard to enjoy the things you want to do. Long-term pain can happen in any part of your body. It can leave you feeling unmotivated, frustrated, and even hopeless. However, physical therapy services can work toward reducing your pain and restoring your body to its full functionality.
At Backcountry Physical Therapy, our physical therapy services work to understand your chronic pain and bring you relief. We offer several therapeutic services to restore your body, including dry needling, joint manipulation, sports injury prevention, and much more. Our expert physical therapists have extensive experience working with individuals with chronic pain. We will create a long-term, personalized plan that works for you. If you are ready to find pain relief, contact Backcountry Physical Therapy to schedule an appointment!
