For people who suffer with chronic pain, developing the ability to effectively manage that pain can become a challenging endeavor. With the FDA cracking down on so-called pain management clinics that simply use pain medications in high volume to treat pain, more people are being forced to find alternative methods to the use of pharmaceutical-grade pain medications. Despite a number of other health risks that these pharmaceutical drugs present, they are also highly addictive, contributing to one of the largest drug addiction populations around the world. According to a recently published article by WebMD, physical therapy is actually one of the best options for effectively managing chronic pain. Physical therapy improves strength and increases flexibility and range of motion.
Improves Core Strength and Balance
One thing that can cause chronic pain to remain persistent is an imbalance in the area of strength and a weak core. Whenever weak core muscles exist, the risk of injury increases exponentially, because every biomechanical motion of the body involves the core. It is the core that stabilizes the body. When the core is weak, the body has to overcompensate in other areas, which will often lead to compensatory injuries. Physical therapy helps to strengthen the core, ensuring that the body has the foundation necessary to perform common movements.
The imbalance in strength can also contribute to injuries and the resistance to recovery. When one muscle is considerably weaker than other supporting or opposing muscles, it causes the body to make adjustments in order to stabilize movements. The more of an imbalance that exists, the greater chance of injury.
Muscle and Circulatory Stimulation
When being treated at an elite physical therapy center, one of the primary modalities that will be used is deep tissue massage therapy. This type of treatment is ideal for stimulating optimal muscle function and cardiovascular circulation. One of the most important elements in the process of physiological healing is optimal circulation. The better a person's blood circulation, the faster they will heal.
A Natural Healing Process
Whereas surgery and pain medication are non-natural forms of healing, physical therapy is actually a natural method of facilitating the body's natural healing process. This is important because the body is designed to heal itself, and whenever possible, it should be allowed to do so. When non-natural methods of healing, such as surgery and drugs, are used, it actually takes its toll on the body is other ways, which lead to long-term problems that will have to be engaged in the future.
A good physical therapist will be able to create an individualized treatment therapy that will focus on dealing with the unique issues that a person is struggling with. It is this specificity in approaches that help to expedite the healing process, while effectively managing the pain of the individual.
While each person will respond differently to treatment, the therapist will be able to make the necessary adjustments as they progress in order to maximize the pain management results.