Managing Chronic Pain the Right Way
Is your chronic pain limiting you from living the life you want to live? If so, you can find relief with physical therapy treatments at Loudoun Physical & Occupational Therapy. Call our Landowne or Leesburg, VA office today for an evaluation.
When our bodies experience pain, it is a physical response to some sort of harm. For example, if you are cooking and you accidentally touch the hot stovetop, your immediate reaction is to pull your hand away. This happens because your brain recognizes the pain you will ensue if you keep your hand there for any longer – in many cases, your brain recognizes it before you even recognize it yourself.
However, sometimes pain can occur for underlying reasons that are out of our control. Pain is considered chronic when it lasts for three months or longer, despite efforts to relieve it. If you have been living with chronic pain, don’t hesitate to contact Loudoun Physical & Occupational Therapy to figure out how to manage it the right way – with physical therapy.
Acute vs. Chronic Pain:
Acute pain can be defined as a temporary pain that usually goes away on its own within a few hours, days, or weeks. The example we used of touching the hot stove and then immediately pulling your hand away would be considered an example of acute pain due to the fact that the pain would likely subside shortly after your hand is pulled away. Another example of acute pain would be an accidental ankle sprain, as the pain would likely last for a couple of weeks until it is healed.
Chronic pain can be defined as any pain that persists for three months or longer. It is the most common reason why people seek medical help, and there are a large number of reasons why it may occur. Additional symptoms are commonly experienced with chronic pain and they include decreased mobility, depression, anxiety, prescription drug dependence, and an overall decline in quality of life. This can cause frustration and debilitating results; however, physical or occupational therapy can help alleviate your chronic pain without the risks other pain management options come with.
Why is my pain lingering?
Chronic pain is typically rooted in the musculoskeletal system, which is comprised of your bones, muscles, joints, and connective tissues.
Some common conditions that may lead to chronic pain include:
Overuse Injuries
Your gait, posture, stance, and the ways in which you work or exercise can all take a toll on your body if you are not careful. Overuse injuries are common conditions that develop when part of the body is used in excessive repetitive motions over a period of time. Most overuse injuries occur when improper techniques are used, causing an abnormal strain on the affected body part. When this happens, your joints and muscles can become damaged, resulting in chronic pain. Physical or occupational therapy can help you learn how to properly move your body in your everyday life, in order to avoid overuse injuries.
Accidents
According to a 2016 statistic found by OSHA, workplace injuries happen to approximately 2.9 out of every 100 employees. A study published by the journal Pain also states that 21% of people involved in motor vehicle accidents develop chronic, widespread pain in the weeks following their accident. This pain won’t go away on its own, therefore you should seek the help of a Landowne and Leesburg, VA physical & occupational therapist for help to alleviate it. Any accident can lead to chronic pain, whether it occurs in the workplace, in a motor vehicle, or even in your own home. PT treatments can help provide relief for any accident-related chronic pain condition.
Surgery
Unfortunately, surgical procedures are sometimes unavoidable. When surgery is necessary to correct a certain painful condition, the recovery period itself may prove to be just as painful as the condition itself. Surgical repair of an area on the body may be enough to correct a structural problem, but we often compensate in our movement for the pain we experience. Weeks, months, or even years of compensatory movement often causes additional pain after surgery, if the said movement is not corrected. Physical & occupational therapy offers both pre-surgical and post-surgical rehabilitation services that can help relieve pain, speed up recovery time, and reduce the risk of developing chronic pain in the future.
Disease
There are a large variety of diseases that can lead to chronic pain, including multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, arthritis, diabetes, and cancer. The chronic pain experienced from these conditions can range from dull to severe, but it can be managed or even alleviated completely with physical or occupational therapy at Loudoun Physical & Occupational Therapy.
Contact Loudoun Physical & Occupational Therapy for chronic pain relief
If you are looking for a safe and effective way to treat your chronic pain, physical or occupational therapy is the answer. Our Landowne and Leesburg, VA physical & occupational therapists are movement experts, equipped to treat any chronic condition you may be experiencing. Our physical or occupational therapist will begin by conducting a comprehensive exam to check for any imbalances, weaknesses, or limited ranges of motion. This will help determine where your chronic pain is originating and what the best course of treatment will be for you.
A common treatment method for chronic pain is manual therapy, in order to alleviate pain, increase mobility, and decrease scar tissue. Treatment plans will also include targeted exercises and stretches, in order to improve your strength and balance. If you have been looking for chronic pain relief, look no further – contact Loudoun Physical & Occupational Therapy today to schedule an evaluation and get started on the first steps toward living the life you want!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!
