Managing Chronic Pain the Right Way

Are you suffering from a persistent pain that’s limiting your physical abilities? If so, our physical therapy treatments can help you find relief, even if you have tried physical therapy before.

Pain doesn’t always work in traditional ways. Sometimes it can linger for days, weeks, or even months due to an underlying condition. When pain persists for three months or longer, that is considered “chronic pain.” Chronic pain is both debilitating physically and emotionally. At Star Physical Therapy in Algiers, Covington, Folsom, Lacombe, Mandeville, New Orleans, and Slidell, LA, we understand your needs and have success in treating many patients suffering from chronic pain.

How did my chronic pain develop?

In most cases, chronic pain stems from a neurophysiological origin. Chronic injury, illness, anxiety, and feeling depressed are intertwined in a complicated web, which leads your neurological system to always be on high alert. Chronic pain can appear in the form of back pain, joint pain, nerve pain, or headaches. It most commonly occurs due to one of the following causes:

• Accidents. Any accident can lead to chronic pain, whether it occurs in an automobile, workplace, or even in your own home. According to a 2016 statistic found by OSHA, workplace injuries happen to approximately 2.9 out of every 100 employees. Additionally, a study published in a journal called Pain determined that 21% of people involved in motor vehicle accidents develop chronic widespread pain in the weeks following their accident. This pain does not go away on its own, but seeking the help of a Louisiana physical therapist can help alleviate it. 
• Overuse Injuries. Overuse injuries are very common, and they can occur in any part of the body that is used repetitively in your day-to-day life. For example, the way you stand, walk, work, and exercise can all take a toll on your body. It results in overuse injuries if you are not using proper techniques. This can result in damage to your joints and muscles, thus causing chronic pain. For example, if you perform heavy lifting at work many times a day, with improper techniques, this can lead to chronic back pain. Physical therapy can help you learn how to properly move your body in your everyday life, in order to avoid these issues.
• Disease. There are many diseases that can lead to chronic pain, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, shingles, neuropathy as a result of diabetes, and more. These can all result in chronic pain, which can be alleviated through physical therapy treatments.
• Surgery. Surgical procedures are sometimes unavoidable. While they may be necessary for alleviating certain conditions you are facing, the post-surgical recovery period can be just as painful. Surgical repair of an area of the body is 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 movement is not corrected. Physical therapy offers post-surgical rehabilitation services that can help speed up recovery time, relieve pain, and reduce the risk of chronic pain in the future.

What’s the difference between chronic and acute pain?

Acute pain can be defined as pain that goes away on its own in a few hours, days, or weeks. The example of a minor ankle sprain would be considered acute pain, as the pain will subside shortly within a few days. 

Chronic pain is a constant discomfort that lasts for 3-6 months or longer. There are several reasons why people may experience chronic pain, and it is the most common reason for seeking medical help. It can greatly hinder your quality of life by limiting your mobility, creating a dependence on prescription drugs, or even causing anxiety and depression. However, this can all be avoided with the help of Star Physical Therapy.

Can I find relief for my chronic pain?

One of the main goals of physical therapy is pain relief, and discovering the root cause of the pain to treat it, rather than masking symptoms with medication.

Our Louisiana physical therapists are highly-trained movement experts who diagnose physical problems and treat underlying structural causes surrounding those problems. Our physical evaluation will analyze weak areas of your body, focus on places with limited range of motion, and look for any imbalances in gait or standing. All of this helps to identify the underlying causes of your chronic pain. 

Once the evaluation is complete, our physical therapist will create a treatment plan unique to your specific needs. This may include specialized, soothing manual therapy techniques to help restore soft tissue and joint movement, pain-relieving modalities, and gentle targeted exercises to improve your strength. Your treatment plan will incorporate in-clinic treatments, as well as an at-home program to ensure that you are remaining healthy and active at all times. If you are ready to relieve your chronic pain for good, contact Star Physical Therapy in Algiers, Covington, Folsom, Lacombe, Mandeville, New Orleans, and Slidell, LA today to request an appointment. Our dedicated physical therapists would be happy to meet with you and get you started on the right track toward long-lasting pain relief.