Chronic Pain
Chronic pain affects about 20 million Americans each year. Chronic pain is so debilitating that it may restrict simple movements, such as getting up from the bed or from a chair, even walking or getting dressed. The main approach well known to treat pain is pharmacological medication which only treats the symptoms, ignoring the cause of the pain. Another type of treatment without side effects or drugs is physical therapy. Physical therapy for chronic pain treatments can help lessen the pain and get you back moving again.
What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain happens when the pain continues even after the body recovers from injury or illness.
What Causes Chronic Pain?
The receptors of pain adjacent to an injured area send signals to the brain to make you aware of pain. With chronic pain the brain keeps sending pain signals for weeks, months or years.
The most common conditions that cause chronic pain include:
- Artritis
- Trauma/injury
- Previous surgery
- Dolor de Cabeza
- Cáncer
- Infección
- Poor postural habits
- Postpartum
- Nerve damage
- An old injury
Who is at Risk of Chronic Pain?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic pain is associated with:
- Edad avanzada
- Long term painkiller use
- Poor mental health and behavior issues
- Decreased quality of life
Do You Know That Physical Therapy Can Help You With Chronic Pain?
Physical therapy offers a non-pharmacological approach to lessen pain, restore function, and improve quality of life.
What Techniques Chaux Physical Therapy Uses for Chronic Pain?
Chaux physical therapy techniques may include:
» Manual Therapy:
Chaux physical therapy strongly uses hands-on techniques to improve joint mobility, restore tissue flexibility, and reduce pain.
» Therapeutic Exercises
Gentle sequence of exercises that gradually are modified according to the patient’s needs to improve mobility and function with less discomfort.
» Neuromuscular Reeducation
Gentle guide exercises where the patient learns to listen to the body, and not just the area that hurts. The patient learns about the brain-body connection to reset the false signal of chronic pain and replace it for a pleasant experience of effortless and safer movements with no pain.
» Postural Reeducation
Postural techniques help improve the body alignment, correct muscle imbalances, and train the patient to move more efficiently with proper body mechanics, to reduce the risk of injury and pain.
» Education
The patient learns to understand about chronic pain and how the brain works to reduce pain.
The therapist teaches exercise routines according to the patient needs, level of activity, and patient goals to improve quality of life
Are You Dealing With Chronic Pain?
Get your movement back in your life and call Doctor Alexandra Chaux at (805) 203-9940 or fill out the contact form to book an appointment today! Most patients find pain relief after their first session with physical therapy for chronic pain! Dr. Chaux will work with you every step of the way to decrease your pain and improve your mobility to live a more comfortable, healthier life.