Condiciones crónicasEn Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts y Nueva 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.
- Terapia manual: 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.