FOR LONG-LASTING PAIN, SPECIALIZED TRUERELIEF TREATMENT AND PHYSICAL THERAPY IS A FAR BETTER OPTION THAN MEDICATIONS
If you are seeking the specialty advice and treatment of a chronic pain specialist in Hanford, you’re at the right website.
For long standing pain, specialized treatment like TrueRelief or class 4 laser therapy, combined with the expert care of one of our chronic pain specialist physical therapists is a far better option than most medications.
Even though it may seem like nothing more than a serious distraction & inconvenience, pain is actually the body’s way of informing you that something is wrong and needs your attention. In most cases, this “pain signal” goes away either on its own or after addressing it—like putting ice on a sprained ankle. But for some people, the pain signal continues long after the problem has been resolved, which is called “chronic pain” when it lasts for more than three months. Chronic pain is often a troublesome issue to resolve, but a new electrotherapy called TrueRelief plus personalized physical therapy is an effective option that will target its source rather than just mask it (like most pain medications).
When you injure yourself, pain-detecting sensors become activated in that area. These sensors then send a message in the form of an electrical signal to the brain, which processes the signal and sends out a message that something is wrong. After most injuries, this signal stops after the cause of pain is resolved, meaning the injured area has healed. But with chronic pain, these nerve signals continue sending messages that you are in pain even though there is no longer any damage to your body. It’s not entirely clear why this occurs, but the general belief is that the nervous system accidentally communicates the presence of pain because it has repeatedly sent these pain signals for a long period of time.
Chronic pain is usually far more difficult to treat than typical injuries since the problem is more related to the nervous system than a physical issue. Many patients are being prescribed pain medications like opioids to address their condition, but there are far more risks than benefits associated with this approach. Opioids are highly addictive and often lead to abuse, overdose, and possibly even death. They are also only meant to decrease the perception or sensation of pain and are not intended to actually address the factor responsible for it.
Physical therapy, on the other hand, works with patients to help them better understand their condition and how their thought process can affect the way they feel. They also provide a number of techniques and tips to overcome chronic pain through specific movements and positive habitual changes. A physical therapy program for chronic pain will usually consist of the following components:
- Education on how chronic pain works and the importance of physical activity
- Strengthening exercises
- Flexibility exercises
- Hands-on (manual) therapy techniques
- Posture and body mechanics awareness
The effectiveness of physical therapy and exercise on chronic pain has been highlighted in a number of studies, including a large-scale review published in 2017, which concludes with the following statement on physical activity for fibromyalgia:
The available evidence suggests physical activity and exercise is an intervention with few adverse events that may improve pain severity and physical function, and consequent quality of life
Living with chronic pain can feel as if there’s a constant barrier preventing you from doing the things you love normally, but it does not have to be this way. If you’re dealing with chronic pain, contact your local physical therapy clinic and get started on a positive path to recovery that does not include pain medications.
