What role does physiotherapy play in managing pain?

In today’s world, experiencing pain after a medical treatment or an injury is usual. But, when the patient has to cope with the pain relentlessly, it can drain him emotionally. But, did you know that physiotherapy can be beneficial to improve one's health? Well, scroll through this article to know more about the role of a physiotherapist. As you continue reading, you will also know the various techniques followed for swift recovery. 

How can physiotherapy be beneficial in managing pain?

Physiotherapy is extremely effective for managing pain. Let’s check the benefits ahead.

Pain management after an operation 
If someone has undergone an operation, then he or she may have to cope with limited mobility. Here’s when the physiotherapist works along with the surgeon’s team to come up with a rehabilitation plan. With exercises and techniques, the expert then helps in expediting the recovery process. Patients can thereby move independently once the pain is addressed. 

Complicated Medical Issues 
Invasive procedures can leave the patients in a painful condition. Moreover, the pain can worsen when there’s little mobility after being admitted to the hospital for a long time. In such a case, physiotherapists may play a vital role. The various techniques they will suggest will help in reducing the pain. Moreover, the patient will also experience comfort after a set of light exercises. 

Persistent Pain Management 
Physiotherapy for pain management can benefit those who have lower back pain or arthritis. While the physiotherapist helps the patient to revive, he introduces a few exercises and manual therapy. At times, he may modify the exercises a bit to reduce the pain. Ultimately, physiotherapists focus on improving strength and mobility. They can also help the patients stay on track while they’re recovering. 

Home based support 
Once the patient returns home, he strives to manage the pain. Later, they can get in touch with a physiotherapist who will support the patient in every way. Beyond this, the physiotherapist will come up with a program as per the patient’s needs. Soon after a few sessions, the patient can do the exercises on his own till the pain subsides. Moving ahead, the patient will be happy when he is recovering from the physical condition steadily. 

Holistic Approach 
A holistic approach that the physiotherapist follows makes physiotherapy distinct. Instead of being on medicines regularly, the expert will address the things that are causing the pain. Such an approach further relieves the patient when the pain is managed. The patient is sure to regain mobility while he is looking forward to recovering from the condition. With regular sessions, the physiotherapy will also lead the patient to a wellness journey. 

What are the approaches followed for chronic and acute pain? 

There are many ways in which physiotherapy can alleviate acute and chronic pain. But, before proceeding ahead, let’s check how acute pain differs from chronic pain.

When a person is suffering from acute pain, it is just for a short time. It can also arise due to a certain injury and may last for a few months. In contrast, chronic pain lasts for many months. The pain can further persist even when the main cause is treated. Most of the time, chronic pain may occur due to many aspects.

Now, to manage acute pain, techniques like joint mobilization should be used to reduce discomfort. Applying heat and ice can also reduce pain substantially. The physiotherapist may also advise to take ample rest without exacerbating the injury. Soon after some exercises, the physiotherapist will introduce some more exercises. These will help to restore strength steadily as the pain reduces. Additionally, the medical specialist may encourage the patient to go ahead with pain management techniques at home. 

In cases of chronic pain management, the medical specialist may tell the patient to make some lifestyle changes. Beyond this, he will also blend physical therapy with apt nutrition. But, as the person feels better, the expert will focus on improving the patient’s life. He will also encourage the individual to keep himself busy with a hobby. Most importantly, the expert will focus on exercises that will empower mobility. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy will also be introduced to address the psychological and emotional aspects of chronic pain. These may include depression and anxiety. 

What are some techniques that the physiotherapist employs?

Many techniques may be followed by the physiotherapist for the patient’s recovery. Let’s check these as you scroll ahead.

Massage 
When the physiotherapist visits your house, he will offer a massage. As he gently moves his fingers around the affected area, they will mitigate pain. Blood flow will also increase significantly with time. 

Stretching 
To enhance mobility and make the body flexible, the expert will suggest some stretching exercises. These can benefit the patient, especially when he can’t bear chronic pain. 

Diverse exercises 
Besides improving physical health, a few exercises can make muscles strong. These can later restore strength and endurance that the patient has lost. 

Heat and Cold Therapy 
If the swelling is intolerable, then applying ice packs and heat can be ideal. This is one of the solutions observed in physiotherapy for pain management. Once heat is applied, it can enhance blood flow. But, during cold therapy, the patient gains instant relief as the pain receptors become numb. 

Aerobic exercises
Aerobic exercises like jogging and walking can also help to stay fit. As the body parts move rhythmically, it can also help to reduce the pain. 

Towards the end, some strengthening exercises can help enhance muscle strength. But, when the patient is carrying out the exercises, he must target certain muscles only. Instead of applying force, he should do the exercises gradually. 

What tips to consider for chronic pain management at home?

Now, let’s check out some tips that will help you manage pain effectively. 

>> Always try to stay active throughout the day. In case you are unaware of the exercises, then you can connect with an expert who offers physiotherapy for pain management. 

>> If the pain continues to persist, then think about applying heat through a soft bag of warm water. Moreover, you can reduce the inflammation by using ice packs. Hot packs, on the other hand, can alleviate pain and thereby relax the muscles.

>> Think about getting in touch with a physiotherapist for a massage around the body part. The techniques will help to mitigate the pain and enhance blood circulation.

>> In your free time, you can think about exhaling and inhaling deeply. But, you must ensure that you carry out the breathing exercises in a controlled manner. This will definitely help to subside the pain that may be due to stress.

>> Practice meditation regularly, preferably in the morning. This will relax the muscles, mitigate stress, and keep you calm across the day.

>> Based on the condition, you can think about using supports and braces. Such ergonomically designed tools will reduce the strain around the area that’s painful.

>> Interact with your friends and family members and share your experience. Once you start gaining emotional support, you will be able to deal with various psychological aspects.

Besides the above tips, you can maintain a record of your experiences. As you start noting down in a diary, you must state when the pain was worse or better. You must also write down the activities that made the pain worse. Through this way, you can come up with strategies for managing pain in the best way. 

Conclusion

Finally, if you don’t know how to deal with chronic pain management, then why not consider TruePal? While we present holistic wellness solutions, our certified MPT professionals are present to alleviate pain. As soon as the professional visits your house, he will first assess the patient’s health. Later, he will present a treatment plan that will be personalized. While he offers his service, he will also give some tools. These will help to improve physical health and recover faster.