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Chronic ConditionsIn Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, & New York

Physical and occupational therapy can be powerful resources when living with a chronic illness. We explain how in this article. Here at MOTION, we offer multiple treatments for chronic conditions.

Some benefits you may receive with PT/OT treatment include:

  • Increased mobility and strength
  • Slower disease progression
  • Less pain and reduced need for pain medication
  • Increased function and restoration of normal activity levels
  • Less illness-related anxiety
  • Reduction of inflammation
  • And more

Movement-based therapies become more effective over time. Pain medication becomes less effective. The exercises prescribed by your therapist are designed to make you stronger and more mobile when consistently performed. Your body gains the capacity to tolerate more discomfort as you get stronger, and you may feel less pain. 

What Chronic Conditions Can be Treated in PT/OT?

Most chronic illnesses benefit from therapy. When pain or other symptoms last longer than 3 months, they are considered chronic. PT and OT can help treat lingering pain from an old sprain, strain, ligament or tendon tear, or broken bone. Our therapists also commonly treat chronic back and neck pain. 

However, PT and OT are not only for musculoskeletal injuries. Movement therapy can help manage pain and disability from:

  • Neurological disorders like stroke and traumatic brain injuries
  • Cancer 
  • Diabetes
  • Respiratory diseases like emphysema and COPD
  • Heart conditions 
  • Autoimmune diseases like fibromyalgia, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

How are Chronic Conditions Treated in PT/OT?

Physical exercise itself can make you feel better. That said, we know many people don't want to exercise after years of chronic pain and disability. Also, it may be difficult to perform an activity because of fatigue or limited mobility. 

Our therapists teach you targeted exercises to your tolerance. We meet you where you are. If your body is only ready for gentle range of motion exercises, that is where you will start. Any movement can help the body decrease pain and feel better. Physical activity releases endorphins that can reduce pain signals in your brain. 

Starting with aquatic exercise instead of land-based can help build exercise tolerance. It reduces the load on muscles and joints. The water's hydrostatic pressure also lowers inflammation in the body.

Our therapists prioritize building strength, range of motion, and function in injured areas. But, they also focus on teaching you how to move correctly to minimize pain. Examples include posture education and lifting mechanics. This is called biomechanics training and can significantly improve your pain and quality of life.

Our therapists also offer passive, chronic pain rehabilitation. These therapies calm the nervous system and help tissues function better. Physical movement is the key to slowing disease progression and lasting relief, but adding these methods can help.

  • Electric stimulation: Many forms of e-stim exist that can reduce pain, build muscle, and relieve inflammation.
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    Heat and cold therapy: Cold therapy, or cryotherapy, can help with inflammation and swelling and reduce pain. Heat therapy boosts blood flow, heals tissue, and can also reduce pain and inflammation. 

Additionally, heat therapy can help improve tissue elasticity and decrease muscle stiffness. These long-term benefits are vital to the health of patients with chronic illnesses. Our therapists use several deep heating techniques. They include low-level laser light therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, paraffin baths, and infrared therapy.

  • Manual therapy: These hands-on treatments can improve mobility, decrease pain, and help you relax. They can also stimulate tissue healing. These techniques include joint mobilization and manipulation, myofascial release, instrument-assisted soft tissue massage like the Graston technique, muscle energy techniques, and trigger point therapy.
  • Mechanical traction: Traction is also called decompression therapy. It gently increases the space between your spine’s vertebrae. This can relieve pressure from your disc and helps restore the proper motion of fluid. It can help manage chronic neck or back pain.
  • Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE): PNE involves educational sessions on the neurobiology of pain. It is an empowering tool that helps you understand your pain and manage your symptoms. PNE can reduce the fear associated with movement and increase your pain tolerance.

Chronic Pain Physical Therapy at MOTION

Not everyone will respond to every treatment the same way. Someone may find relief with a technique and someone else will not and need to try something else. When a treatment doesn't help the first time you attempt it, there are other options. Our therapists are skilled at modifying a treatment plan to make and keep it effective. 

Our therapists may utilize many treatment combinations to help you manage a chronic condition. No one should live with pain and disability. We strive to help you feel and function better.

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The MOTION Difference

Specialty-Level Care

Target your discomfort at the source with a customized treatment plan.

Caring Physical Therapists

Gain a team of therapists committed to your recovery.

Be Known — Not Just a Number

No two patients are alike — and neither is their care.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A physical therapy visit lasts about 40-60 minutes. The actual contents of the visit vary based on your diagnosis / need, but typically what happens is:

    1. You check in with the receptionist, make any appointments necessary, and we discuss your health insurance benefits with you.
    2. You go into the gym. You can change clothes if you need to, then begin therapy.
    3. You perform 6-8 various exercises and stretches. These can include therapeutic band exercises, light body weight exercises, or minimal weights. The stretches will promote strength, stability, improved range of motion, and pain relief.
    4. We can initiate other techniques to include manual work, taping, cupping, and dry needling as needed.
    5. The therapist makes recommendations based on your progress. These can include altering the frequency of visits, making additions / alterations to your home exercise plan, or things to do before your next visit.

  • We recommend budgeting 40-60 minutes for a typical therapy session. The only exception to this will be your first visit, which can take about 20 minutes longer due to the physical therapy evaluation your therapist will provide. We also recommend showing up about 10-15 minutes early to your first visit. This way, you can complete the paperwork before your visit time and streamline the process.

  • If we are asking you to do something that is hurting too much, let us know! Physical therapy should not be severely painful. It is not common to be so sore that patients are in pain or it affects their daily life. If this ever happens during or after an appointment, let us know and we will adapt your program.

  • During your initial evaluation, your therapist may ask you a number of questions to determine what the cause of your pain is. This can include questions about your sleep habits, activity level, and work environment. They will also ask for a medical history, and then typically ask direct questions about where and when you experience pain.

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