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Physical Therapy for Chronic Pain

October 24, 2017 | Industry News
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Golfer on golf course holding left shoulder and lower back in pain.

The benefits of physical therapy for musculoskeletal injuries and orthopedic disorders are widely recognized.  Its effectiveness in reducing pain and dysfunction in individuals with chronic pain disorders is less well-known.  The evidence is there, however, and in 2016, the CDC released new guidelines listing physical therapy as a preferred treatment for pain disorders as part of ongoing efforts to decrease the number of opioid pain medications prescribed.

What is Chronic Pain?

Pain/discomfort lasting longer than 3 months is considered chronic, and approximately 116 million Americans have chronic pain each year.  Lost wages, work time and medical bills add up to a costs of upwards of $560 billion a year.

In a chronic pain condition, the source of the pain is often unknown, or has long since healed.  The nervous system has taken over and become the source of pain.  While treatment with pain medications can decrease pain intensity, the relief is generally short-lived and may wane over time.  In addition, the risks of addiction, leftover medications being made available to the public and overdose deaths cannot be ignored.

How Can a Physical Therapist Help?

Physical therapy interventions including structured exercise, soft tissue and joint mobilizations, modalities such as electrical stimulation and patient education aim to decrease pain permanently rather than mask it for a short time.

The efficacy of physical therapy for reducing pain and improving function has been demonstrated in a variety of chronic pain conditions, including:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Nonspecific low back pain
  • Whiplash associated disorders
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)/chronic regional pain syndrome
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction

At Phoenix, our physical therapists understand the multi-faceted nature of pain, and the importance of a team approach in treating persistent pain disorders. Your physical therapist (PT) will design a treatment program specific to your needs and symptoms in order to relieve pain and increase function.  For more detailed information on how a PT can help you, visit the Phoenix location nearest you.

Source: Kim Poehlmann, PT, DPT & Moveforwardpt.com

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
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