Chronic Pain management & Rehabilitation – Physiotherapists play an important role in the management of chronic pain rehabilitation as our licensed physiotherapists in etobicoke allows us to understand the limitations and dysfunction that comes from chronic pain
Physiotherapists help a great deal of patients manage their chronic pain. Our chronic pain management Physiotherapist will teach you to deal with your symptoms and improve your quality of life in order to help you maintain your functional ability.
Often treating chronic pain requires a multi-dimensional approach, combined with other pain management consultants, psychologists, orthopedic specialists and rheumatologists to give greater benefits from treatment as the chronic pain is associated with other psychological factors like anxiety, depression and stress.
Our initial evaluation includes the origin/onset, site, pattern, quality, intensity, radiation, characteristics, contributing and relieving factors, previous treatments and their effectiveness, and other visceral signs and symptoms.
Physical Therapy for Pain Management
Physical therapy is used to alleviate sources of chronic pain, including:
• Chronic headaches
• Neuropathic pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Nerve damage
How Physiotherapy Can Treat Chronic Pain
The goal of physiotherapy is to enable and empower the individual to gain back control of their life, and reduce the fear and avoidance associated with chronic pain.
Patient Education: Education and increasing the patient’s understanding of chronic pain is an important step in the management of the condition. Our licensed and experienced physiotherapist will set specific realistic goals with the patient that suits their lifestyle based on the condition of the patient.
Exercise Therapy: The physiotherapist can create a treatment plan of graded approach to exercise based on the individual’s needs, as well as aiming to improve strength and flexibility. Exercise Therapy Helps Chronic Pain by
• Strength in the muscles
• Endurance
• Stability in the joints
• Flexibility in the muscles and joints
Manual Therapy and chronic pain management: With reduced movements due to the chronic pain, joints can become stiff and irritable. Our physiotherapist can help by manipulating or mobilizing joints, which will not only reduce the pain but also greatly restore movement.
Soft Tissue Treatments: Our licensed physiotherapist may perform massage, trigger point therapy, myofascial release techniques and stretching to improve movement and reduce pain
Postural Exercises: Postural Exercises can be an excellent treatment option, especially for chronic neck or back pain as it is low intensity and helps to build strength and control. Physiotherapists can also give patients a home exercise program of postural exercises.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture can be a useful alternative treatment option for chronic pain. Acupuncture is effective in management of chronic pain associated with the neck and back, headaches and osteoarthritis of the knee.
Electrotherapy: Treatment options can be effective in decreasing the sensation of pain. Therapeutic modalities such as Interferential Therapy, Shock wave diatheramy, TENS and laser will be a great support in chronic pain management allowing muscles to relax encourages circulation and increases blood flow to the area, which can reduce pain.
By using a combination of treatment options, patients can begin to control their pain and resume participation in normal day to day activities.