Are you experiencing chronic pain? Physical therapy may help you find relief. Dealing with chronic pain can be physically and emotionally exhausting. You may have trouble concentrating on daily responsibilities at work and in other aspects of your life. If you are experiencing the negative effects of persistent pain, you’re not alone. Rates of persistent chronic pain are high among U.S. adults, according to one national study. Fortunately, relief is possible. With the right course of treatment, you can start addressing the root causes of your pain to experience lasting relief. Physical therapy can play a significant role in pain management. By learning about some of the most effective physical therapy pain management techniques, you can get a better understanding of how PT may help you.

Effective physical therapy pain management techniques

• Strengthening exercises — Exercises are a cornerstone of physical therapy. Exercises help build flexibility, resilience and muscle strength. Strength-focused exercises can play a key role in relieving your pain. Many painful conditions are connected to muscle imbalances. For example, weak lower back muscles may lead to chronic pain in your back and hips. By strengthening these muscles, you can improve support in weakened areas and reduce excess pressure. Strengthening exercises work to directly address the source of your pain. This means it can lead to lasting relief. The best strength training exercises for you will depend on your condition. Your physical therapist will work with you to develop an exercise program that matches your needs and goals. Common strengthening exercises include biceps curls, clamshells and hip bridges. Each of these exercises engages different muscle groups, so it’s important to know which areas you should be targeting. Your physical therapist can help you find exercises that are effective for managing your pain.
• Targeted stretches — Strengthening exercises aren’t the only kind of PT exercises used for pain management. Stretches can also be beneficial. In many cases, chronic pain is connected to muscle tension and stiffness. Stretching can help address any tension you are experiencing. This can lead to pain relief and improved flexibility. Stretches are great for managing pain caused by muscle knots, soft tissue injuries and more. Stretching doesn’t just increase your range of motion and reduce pain. Targeted stretches can also boost your circulation. Better circulation means more vital nutrients can reach injured muscles and other tissue. By improving your blood flow with active stretches, you can speed up your body’s natural healing processes. Are you experiencing a lot of stiffness and discomfort? Targeted physical therapy stretches may be key to managing your symptoms.
• Manual therapy — Are you looking for a hands-on treatment approach to pain relief? Manual therapy may be right for you. Physical therapists often incorporate manual therapy treatment alongside other tailored strategies. Manual therapy refers to treatment methods that involve your physical therapist using their hands to manipulate and mobilize tissue. The most effective manual therapy techniques for you will depend on your condition. Are stiff joints the root cause behind your chronic pain? If so, then your physical therapist may use joint mobilization techniques. They may also manipulate tissue around the joint to reduce stiffness and pain. This can be especially helpful when addressing chronic pain around the shoulder and elbow joints. When looking for a good treatment provider, it’s important to find one with the right qualifications. When it comes to manual therapy, a Certification in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (COMT) signifies experience and expertise. A fully COMT-certified physical therapist can offer top-notch manual therapy treatment.
• Ultrasound — Physical therapists utilize a range of modalities to relieve pain. Some, such as ultrasound therapy, involve specialized technology. Ultrasound therapy can be highly effective for reducing pain and inflammation. This treatment works by sending sound waves into your deep tissue. These sound waves then generate heat, which can reduce swelling, increase blood flow and relieve pain. Ultrasound therapy is conducted with a specialized ultrasound wand. This allows for highly targeted treatment. Your physical therapist will place the ultrasound wand over painful areas, and your skin will then absorb the ultrasound waves. This treatment method is used to treat conditions including strains, sprains and tendinitis. Tendinitis refers to inflammation of the tendons. When you’re experiencing painful tendon inflammation, ultrasound therapy can reduce irritation and deliver relief. The versatility of ultrasound therapy makes it a great treatment option for a variety of injuries and chronic conditions.
• Electrical stimulation — Electrical stimulation and transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (TENS) are two effective PT modalities for fast-acting pain relief. Both treatment methods can help you experience pain relief; however, they work in different ways. Traditional electrical stimulation involves an electronic muscle stimulation (EMS) device that uses low-level electrical impulses to engage targeted muscles. By stimulating muscle contractions, EMS can help you build strength and reduce pain. Like EMS, TENS works by sending electrical signals into affected areas of your body. TENS helps block pain signals, enabling you to experience near-immediate relief. TENS can also promote the release of endorphins, which are naturally produced painkillers. Your physical therapist can help determine whether EMS or TENS would be beneficial.
• Spinal decompression — Are you trying to manage chronic lower back pain? Spinal decompression is a form of traction therapy used to stretch and realign the spine. This treatment method can be great for treating herniated discs, sciatica and other painful back conditions. Spinal decompression stretches your spine, reducing pressure on the spinal column. If your pain is connected to pressure or tension along the spine, spinal traction therapy may help you find relief. Spinal decompression can be especially effective when working in synergy with other physical therapy treatments. Treatments like targeted exercises can help you make further progress in addressing your back pain.

Are pain management and physical therapy the same thing?

When looking into your condition, you may see physical therapy and pain management both listed as potential solutions. In some cases, these terms may seem like they refer to different things. In other cases, they may seem interchangeable. Though this can be confusing, the explanation is fairly simple. Pain management is a core goal of physical therapy. As such, pain management techniques are often incorporated into physical therapy treatment. There are other pain management methods, such as pain medication. However, these methods may only be effective in the short term. Physical therapy can be a great option for those seeking long-term relief and recovery.

Physical therapy pain management comes in many forms, from exercise to hands-on manual therapy. However, pain management is just one aspect of a comprehensive physical therapy treatment plan. While managing your current pain is crucial, it’s also important to find more long-term solutions. With physical therapy, you can improve your condition in ways that bring lifelong benefits. PT exercises, for example, can help address current injuries while also reducing your risk of reinjury in the future. This can help you avoid future painful injuries and other conditions. Education is another element of physical therapy. Your physical therapist can help you make healthy lifestyle changes, improve your posture and more. This education can empower you to have more control over your wellness.

Find pain relief with Lattimore Physical Therapy

Are you ready to find a lasting solution to your pain? You can receive effective pain management treatment at Lattimore Physical Therapy. Our team offers compassionate care backed by years of education and experience. We have 30 fully certified COMTs on staff to deliver outstanding manual therapy treatment. With our help, you can address your condition directly and experience long-term relief from pain and other symptoms.

Contact our team today for more information about pain relief treatments or to schedule an initial appointment.