Whether you are dealing with neck pain, back pain, or pain from a condition like arthritis, physical therapists can help. While many people associate physical therapy with the recovery process after an injury or surgery, physical therapy can also help prevent future injuries and help manage and treat your pain symptoms. Check out your options for physical therapy in Atlanta and learn more about how physical therapists work with each person to help treat pain, support the healing process, and restore mobility and healthy functioning.
3 Ways a Physical Therapist Can Help with Pain
Physical therapists employ a wide variety of treatment strategies to help with pain management. Here are three examples of how physical therapy can help treat pain:
Stretches
Depending on what areas are causing you pain, your physical therapist will work with you to practice stretches start promoting healthy movement in the area. Stretching encourages healthy blood flow and oxygen to damaged or sore muscles, which supports the healing process. In addition, stretches can help prepare your muscles for exercises that are designed to help you recover and regain strength and mobility.
Exercises
Physical therapists employ therapeutic exercises that help you to regain your range of motion while improving your strength and flexibility. If you are preparing for a surgery, then physical therapy in Atlanta can help by utilizing exercises that promote healthy blood flow and better prepare your body for the physical toll ahead. After a surgery, exercises can help you regain any lost strength and flexibility that may have impacted your mobility.
Massage
Therapeutic massage also helps to promote healing in damaged, sore muscles and other soft tissues. If you experience chronic neck or back pain, then your physical therapist may utilize certain therapeutic massage techniques, manual therapies, and ultrasound. This can help reduce pain and inflammation in the area so the healing process can continue.
Treatment Goals of Physical Therapy
When you meet with a physical therapist, you will talk about what your treatment goals are, which often include pain management and pain relief. In addition to recovering from surgery or an injury, physical therapy can also help reduce chronic pain and discomfort in your everyday life. Here are a few examples of treatment goals for therapy and how they can help treat pain:
Improving Strength
Stretches and exercises help you regain any lost strength and improve strength in the affected area. For example, if you experience lower back pain, a physical therapist can go through stretches and exercises with you that decrease pain by strengthening the muscles that support your spine. Improving strength in your muscles will help provide better stability for bones and joints, which can help you avoid further injuries.
Regaining Range of Motion
When chronic pain or an acute injury has caused you to lose mobility in a certain area, a physical therapist can help you regain that range of motion in a safe and healthy way. An injury can keep you off your feet while you have a chance to heal, which can lead to stiff, sore muscles from disuse. A physical therapist will incorporate a variety of techniques to keep those muscles moving, even in small ways, so that you can maintain and regain range of motion. This is especially common in injuries and pain in the joints, which can cause you to avoid certain movements that are painful or uncomfortable.
Increasing Flexibility
Your physical therapist will recommend stretches and exercises that help improve your flexibility as well. Flexibility helps to better support your entire musculoskeletal system so that you are better able to react and even prevent injuries in the future. Complementary therapies can help promote strength, range of motion, and flexibility with a physical therapist.
Promoting Healthy Blood Flow
Physical therapy techniques like manual therapies, ultrasound, stretches, and exercises all promote healthy blood flow to damaged or injured areas. With healthy blood flow comes fresh nutrients and oxygen to help promote healing in the area.
You don’t have to deal with chronic pain as part of your life anymore. Talk to a physical therapist and learn more about these natural and non-invasive approaches to treating pain. Visit AICA Orthopedics for physical therapy in Atlanta and find out how our comprehensive care and individualized treatment plans can help you experience lasting pain relief.
