In 2020, an estimated
54 million adults in the U.S. were living with chronic pain. Over 25 percent of them were treating their pain only with medication, and
about 60 percent combined medicine with other treatments.
While many people rely on medication, there’s a therapeutic approach that
goes beyond just masking the pain.
Physical therapy
aims to tackle the root cause of chronic discomfort, offering long-term
relief.
Understanding what chronic pain is
Chronic pain
is more than just an ache that lingers for a while; it’s pain that lasts for
three months or more. Some common forms of chronic pain include:
• Neuropathic pain, which can be caused by nerve damage or a
malfunctioning nervous system, such as a pinched nerve.• Musculoskeletal pain, which affects your bones, joints,
ligaments, and tendons. Causes include injuries like joint dislocation,
aging, or overuse conditions like tendonitis or
osteoarthritis.• Inflammatory pain, which happens in response to tissue
damage and inflammation. Common causes include infections, such as shingles,
and autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Chronic pain medications vs. physical therapy
Medications
commonly prescribed for chronic pain management work by limiting your body’s
ability to feel pain.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) stop your
body from releasing certain enzymes.• Acetaminophen is thought to block the production of
hormone-like substances in the central nervous system that are involved in
pain and inflammation.• Anti-seizure medications quiet pain signals from nerve
cells.• Opioids enable your body to drown out pain by mimicking
pain-relieving chemicals called endorphins that are released by your brain.
However, opioids carry risks of addiction, overdose, and other serious
health issues, and should be used only under medical supervision.
Physical therapy takes a different approach. It attempts to ease pain by
remedying its cause.
For example, if back pain is the result of poor posture or weak core
muscles, a physical therapist can guide you through exercises to help you
correct your posture and strengthen your muscles, which can reduce or
eliminate the pain completely.
Research supports physical therapy’s effectiveness
A
review of studies
indicated that the early use of physical therapy for conditions like lower
back pain and joint pain reduces the likelihood of using opioid
prescriptions. Research has also shown physical therapy to be effective in
treating chronic knee pain, pelvic pain, and pain caused by sciatica. The
evidence supporting physical therapy’s effectiveness is so strong that the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends it as
one of the first approaches for treating pain.
What to expect in physical therapy
Your
first appointment with a physical therapist
will likely include:
-
A review of your medical history and prior treatments you’ve used to address
the pain -
Questions about your pain to determine its intensity, frequency, triggers,
and impact on your daily life -
Physical tests to check your balance, strength, endurance, posture, and
range of motion
Once your therapist has evaluated you, they will work with you to develop
realistic and attainable goals for your therapy and a customized treatment
plan you can follow to attain them. In most cases, your treatment plan will
include exercises and stretches that you’ll do during your session and at
home. Massage therapy may also be recommended.
Some
treatment plans
may also include:
• Ultrasound, which provides deep heating to soft tissues
• Dry needling, which involves using small needles (such as
acupuncture needles) to pierce muscle tissue and knots and relieve pain• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, which uses
electricity to decrease pain signals coming from your body to your brain• Pain neuroscience education, which helps you understand why
you have pain, how your pain might behave, and what you can do to take
control of it
Empower yourself
Physical therapy offers a proactive approach to managing chronic pain by
addressing its root causes rather than just masking the symptoms with pain
medications. If you’re experiencing persistent pain, consider giving
physical therapy a try. It may be able to help you reduce your reliance on
medications or eliminate them altogether. Just remember to discuss any new
treatment plans with your primary care provider before you get started.