We have discussed the science behind pain, how to find the right provider for care, and the evaluation process. As promised, we will now discuss different treatment techniques and their role on chronic pain. These intervention methods include different techniques that challenge brain & body.
So where do we start?
Well… we actually already started. These blog posts are used for patient education. Pain education is the intervention PTs and providers can use to treat pain for that individual. Not everyones pain experience is the same and neither is their pain education. Pain education is specific to how your body is currently responding and causing the pain. There are a ton of different resources to provide pain education and some that you can find through you’ re own search as well. Videos, pain stories, metaphors to pain, etc.
Here are some resources on pain education to get you started!
Since we have spoken a lot about pain education in previous posts I want to focus the rest of this post on the other treatment methods shown to be effective. Exercise, manual therapy, and graded motor imagery are all ways PTs work with patients dealing with chronic pain. Some treatments a PT might ask of you might look like simple strengthening, or seem silly but their purpose behind them is what makes them effective. So if you are unsure of an exercise or treatment prescribed to you…ASK WHY!
Click through these tabs to explore treatments!
Exercise
Movement is better than nothing at all! Exercise and movement in many forms can still produce the numerous health benefits that comes from activity. What is important is finding that right activity, movement, or program for YOU!
Types Of Exercise
Aerobic Exercise (walking, running, cycling, swimming)
Resistance Exercise (body weight workout, circuit, lifting weights)
Postural Exercise
Spinal Stabilization
Benefits of Exercise
Aerobic exercise produces post-exercise hypoalgesia (low pain) that is as effective as anti-depressants.
Resistance Exercise produces post-exercise hypoalgesia with at least 10 minutes of working at a moderate intensity.
How often should I exercise?
5 days a week for 20-30 minutes that can be broken up through out the day
How do I start
Find your activity or exercise that you want to participate in
Consider using a journal, log book, exercise app, or step counter to measure your achievements.
Keep it simple!
Remember, for chronic pain it is important to emphasize movement that specific kind of exercise
Manual Therapy
Graded Motor Imagery
Comments