Do you suffer from chronic pain? If so, you probably find it difficult to lead an active, comfortable life.
Chronic illnesses and conditions can last for days, weeks, months, even years - and impact our ability to perform simple chores and tasks. Pain that's always there can also affect our productivity, focus and mental health. Just living life may begin to feel like a never-ending battle against your own mind and body.
Unfortunately, chronic pain negatively impacts the lives of millions of Canadians. That said, strategies and treatments such as physiotherapy can help people manage chronic illnesses and conditions.
Today, we'll define chronic pain and explain how chronic pain treatment at our physiotherapy clinic in Manotick can help.
What is chronic pain?
When pain lasts for 3 to 6 months plus, it's classified as chronic pain. A wide range of issues may be to blame, including surgical procedures, injury and disease.
Chronic pain can also persist after the time of normal tissue healing and can have both emotional and physical ramifications for our health, ranging from limited mobility and stiff muscles to depression, anxiety, irritability and fear of re-injury.
Acute pain is defined as pain with a sudden onset, that's sharp in quality. Typically, it disappears on its own after a few hours, days or weeks. For example, pain caused by a pulled muscle, fractured bone, cut, bruise or burn is considered acute.
This type of pain does not last longer than six months and disappears when the underlying cause of pain has been treated or has healed.
You may be able to decrease your suffering and improve your quality of life by seeking medical attention and identifying supplementary treatments for acute and chronic pain.
How is chronic pain caused?
Diabetes, depression, anxiety and chronic pain or injury can work in combination to have your neurological system on constant high alert. Chronic pain can occur in our nerves, head, joints and back. Many chronic pain conditions are caused by one or a combination of the following:
Diseases
Shingles, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, arthritis and neuropathy caused by diabetes can lead to chronic pain.
Our physiotherapists in Manotick can help alleviate, or in some cases, relieve pain caused by these types of diseases.
Overuse Injuries
Have you noticed that after spending a day on your feet, working, exercising or being active, that your body is exhausted? Even the way we stand can take a toll.
Damage to muscles and joints can occur and lead to chronic pain. For example, if you life heavy items at work or in your personal life on a regular basis but don't use proper techniques, this can result in repetitive stress injuries and chronic back pain.
A physiotherapist can help you learn how to maneuver your body to prevent overuse injuries.
Workplace Injuries
The average person spends about one-third of their lives at work. Depending on the nature of your job and responsibilities, many dangers may leave you at risk for injuries such as slips, trips and falls.
Explosions, fires and other accidents related to machinery and vehicles are also common hazards.
How does physiotherapy work?
One of our physiotherapists at Manotick PhysioWorks can complete a thorough assessment to determine the cause of your pain and dysfunction, then create an individualized treatment plan to overcome pain and injury.
With physiotherapy, one of our primary goals is to treat and manage the underlying cause of pain, rather than recommend drugs to mask symptoms. While a physiotherapist aims to prevent disease and injury, they can also help to treat chronic degenerative conditions and assist in recovery from surgical procedures.
Treatment for chronic pain may include both in-clinic and at-home therapy. We'll tailor your specific recovery plan to fit your needs.
Our physiotherapists choose from these common approaches (or a combination of them) to meet a client's needs:
Education & Advice
We often offer general advice on correct techniques for lifting or carrying to help with injury prevention, and for how to improve posture.
Movement, Tailored Exercise & Guidance for Physical Activity
Your physiotherapist may recommend specific exercises to help improve your overall health and mobility, and to strengthen certain areas of the body.
Manual Therapy
A physiotherapist can use their hands to help relieve stiffness and pain, and to promote better movement throughout the body.
What are the benefits of physiotherapy?
In addition to providing education and preventing, treating and managing pain, a physiotherapist can help improve your quality of life and mobility by:
- Optimizing balance and coordination
- Increasing strength and range of motion
- Helping to avoid surgery
- Improving cardiovascular function and lung capacity
- Easing pregnancy and post-partum care
- Managing diabetic and heart conditions
- Improving physical and mental health at every age
When is physiotherapy right for me?
Physiotherapy is often recommended for many health issues and conditions, including:
- Neurological conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or spinal chord injury
- Orthopedic conditions that impact the joints and bones including fractures, back pain and sprains
- Childhood disorders such as muscular dystrophy
- Geriatric conditions such as osteoporosis, arthritis and more
- Sports injuries
Your doctor may also recommend physiotherapy to:
- Restore mobility following surgery or hospital care
- Assist with rehabilitation following motor vehicle accidents, work-related injuries or heart attacks
Physiotherapy can play an integral role in managing and treating chronic pain, whether yours is due to an injury or ongoing health condition.
One of our skilled physiotherapists at Manotick PhysioWorks can develop a customized program for you to suit your specific prevention, recovery and treatment needs.