Physical Therapists Can & Will Manage Your Pain

http://www.cardioflextherapy.com/blog/physical-therapists-can-will-manage-your-pain/

by Terry Abrams.

CardioFlex Physical Therapists are professionally trained to help you improve movement and regain control of your lifestyle. Physical therapy is among the safe and effective alternatives to opioids recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the management of most non-cancer related pain.

Whereas opioids only mask the sensation of pain, physical therapists treat pain through movement, hands-on care, exercise, and patient education. Physical therapists know how to manipulate your body to get it up to its best performance, though this can only be achieved with the commitment of the patient.

Here’s how Physical Therapists help manage pain:

1. Exercise.
A study, per APTA, following 20,000 people over 11 years found that those who exercised on a regular basis experienced less pain. And among those who exercised more than 3 times per week, chronic widespread pain was 28% less common1. Physical therapists can prescribe exercise specific to your goals and needs.

2. Manual Therapy.
Research supports a hands-on approach to treating pain. From carpal tunnel syndrome to low back pain, this type of care can effectively reduce your pain and improve your movement. Physical Therapists may use manipulation, joint and soft tissue mobilizations, ultrasound, hot and cold compresses, and electricity, as well as other strategies in your care.

3. Education.
A large study conducted with military personnel demonstrated that those with back pain who received a 45-minute educational session about pain were less likely to seek treatment than their peers who didn’t receive education about pain. Physical therapists will talk with you to make sure they understand your pain history and help set realistic expectations about your treatment.

4. Teamwork.
Recent studies have shown that developing a positive relationship with your physical therapist and being an active participant in your own recovery can impact your success. This is likely because physical therapists are able to directly work with you, assess how your pain responds to treatment and monitor improvement.

Low Back Pain: Although low back pain is rarely serious or life-threatening, there are several conditions that may be related to your low back pain, such as:

• Degenerative disk disease
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Fractures
• Herniated disk
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Tumors of the spine

Our Physical Therapists can help you improve or restore mobility. Stay active, and do as much of your normal routine as possible (bed rest for longer than a day can actually slow down your recovery). If your pain lasts more than a few days or gets worse, schedule an appointment to see your physical therapist. Your physical therapist will evaluate, identify the factors that have contributed to your specific back problem, and design an individualized treatment plan for your specific back problem.

Treatments for Low Back Pain may include:

• Manual therapy, including spinal manipulation, to improve the mobility of joints and soft tissues
• Specific strengthening and flexibility exercises
• Education about how you can take better care of your back
• Training for proper lifting, bending, and sitting; for doing chores both at work and in the home; and for proper sleeping positions
• Assistance in creating a safe and effective physical activity program to improve your overall health
• Use of ice or heat treatments or electrical stimulation to help relieve pain

CardioFlex Therapy is located in Davie, Florida. We offer Physical and Occupational Therapy at our facility or in the comfort of your home. Call us at 954-693-9090 to learn more about how we can help you manage your pain. We accept most Insurance plans and with our flexible schedule, we will be able to bring you in.

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com