Chronic pain especially after a car accident may leave you wanting to curl up with a warm blanket and a bottle of medications. Doing exercise may sound horrible but it might be the best option for chronic pain. One of the goals of treating chronic pain is to help chronic pain patients become stronger because they are usually weak from not moving. Physical therapy can teach people how to move in ways that they haven’t moved for quite some time.
Physical therapy involves a number of different types of methods including massage, manual therapy using hands or tools on soft tissue, cold laser therapy to alleviate inflammation and pain and release endorphins, microcurrent stimulation, which emits alpha waves into the brain and increases serotonin and dopamine to alleviate pain naturally, movement therapy and exercises. Within each category, a physical therapist can offer a wide range of treatments.
Exercising for just 30 minutes a day, 3 to 4 days per week will help chronic pain management. It will increase strength in the muscles, endurance, stability in the joints, and flexibility in the muscles and joints. A consistent exercise routine will also help to control chronic pain. Physical therapy handles the physical side of inflammation, stiffness, soreness with exercise, manipulation, and message. It also helps the body heal itself by producing the body’s natural born pain relieving chemicals. 1. Rodriguez, Diana, Physical Therapy for Pain Management, Pain Management Center 3/9/10.
Each individual is different and may respond to therapy differently. Physical therapists can monitor each individual and correct improper habits alignments and movement patterns. If needed, you will learn how to correct your posture and incorporate ergonomic principles into your daily habits. Through physical therapy, you learn good habits and principles that enable you to take better care of your body. 2. WebMD, By De Palma,Claudio MD, Pain Management and Physical Therapy, 8/28/11.
At The Edward A Smith Law Offices, we see a many people who have suffered from acute and chronic pain after a car accident or other type of injury. We have an experienced team of professionals with whom we work with in this community to quickly aid the injured back to recovery with minimal pain and time.