Role of Physiotherapy in pain management

Role of physiotherapy In pain management

chronic pain may  leave you wanting to curl up in bed with a heating pad and a bottle of medication to help case you aches. Although doing exercises may actually be one of the best pain management options of chronic pain.

"physical therapy can be highly effective for all types of chronic musculoskeletal and neuropathic types of pain"

Physical therapy for pain management

PT issued to evaluate sources of chronic pain including

• osteoarthritis
• fibromyalgia
• chronic headaches
• rheumatoid arthritis
• neuropathic pain(Pain caused by injury to tissues or nerves)

One of the goal of PT is "to help  chronic pain patients become stronger, because they are usually weak from not moaning" (by Waston)

As chronic pain RX , physical therapy can teach people how to move safely and functionally in their ADLs.

PT chronic pain Rx options

PT involves a number of different types of pain management methods including:

• massage
• manipulation of  joints
• manual therapy using hands or by tools on soft tissues
• cold laser therapy to alleviate inflammation and pain released endorphins.
• micro current stimulation which emit alpha waves into brain and increases serotonin and dopamin to alleviate pain naturally
• movement therapy and exercises

A physical therapist can use such methods by understanding patient’s particular pain depending upon person's pain and physical abilities.

How PT helps chronic pain

Exercising for just 30 minutes/day on at least three to four days a week help in chronic pain management by increasing

• Strength in muscles
• Endurance
• Stability in joints
• Flexibility in muscles and joints

Regular therapeutic exercises help to maintain the ability to move and function physically, rather than becoming disable due to your chronic pain.

PT tackle the physical side of  inflammation, stiffness & soreness by exercise, manipulation and massage but it also walks to help body itself  by encouraging the production of body’s natural pain severing chemicals . This two pronged approaches is what helps make physical therapy so effective for chronic pain.

Pain management finding the right combination

The less one move , more pain is felt. Physical therapy can be more effective against chronic pain. It is important to understand that physical therapy is a part of combination approach to resolving chronic pain (Waston)

e.g. {Nutritional supplements, heat & cold therapy, even TENS therapy as a good additional management options along e- physical therapy because it is not just important to walk e- physiotherapy but also a medical doctor who can prescribe any necessary medication , A clinical psychologist and a pharmacist are all important member of pain management team. By putting all these components together we can find most effective effects in management of pain.

By: Dr Mahroz Tauseef
       Physiotherapist