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How Physical Therapy Can Help With Chronic Pain

A Guide to Chronic Pain and the Benefits of Physical Therapy

WHAT IS EVERYDAY PAIN VS CHRONIC PAIN? 

Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for more than 12 weeks, even after the initial injury or illness has healed. Chronic pain can be caused by various conditions, including arthritis, back pathology, fibromyalgia, and endometriosis. It can also be a side effect of certain medications.

Chronic pain can be extremely debilitating, affecting your ability to work, sleep, and enjoy activities you once enjoyed. The good news is that treatments are available and can help manage chronic pain. Physical therapy is one treatment that can help reduce pain and improve function. 

Many types of chronic pain include back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and headaches. Chronic pain commonly presents itself in the spine. Spine pain can be caused by many things, including injuries, degenerative conditions, and diseases. Spine pain is often debilitating. 

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC PAIN?

Chronic pain can manifest in several ways, depending on the underlying cause. In general, however, chronic pain is characterized by persistent discomfort that lasts for weeks, months, or even years. The pain may be a constant struggle or intermittent pain and can vary in intensity from mild to severe.

Common signs and symptoms of chronic pain include:

  • Spine pain
  • Headache pain
  • Postoperative pain
  • Cancer pain
  • Arthritis pain

If you are experiencing any of these types of pain regularly, it is vital to take action immediately to get treatment. We recommend immediately setting an appointment with your doctor and getting a physical therapy order so that we can begin treatment. 

DO I NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED WITH CHRONIC PAIN TO START PHYSICAL THERAPY?

If you’re experiencing chronic pain, you may wonder if physical therapy can help. The short answer is yes – physical therapy can effectively treat chronic pain, whether an injury or another underlying condition causes it.

However, you don’t necessarily need to be diagnosed with chronic pain to start physical therapy. If you’re experiencing any pain that is impacting your quality of life, physical therapy may be able to help.

At Mississippi Physical Therapy, our team of experienced physical therapists can develop a personalized treatment plan to help you reduce your pain and improve your overall mobility. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve lasting relief from chronic pain.

WHAT TYPES OF CHRONIC PAIN DOES PHYSICAL THERAPY RELIEVE?

Physical therapy can help relieve chronic pain in the spine, knee, ankle, shoulder, and hip arthritis, as well as fibromyalgia. A physical therapist can help patients manage their pain and regain normal mobility. If you have chronic pain, working with a physical therapist can help reduce your pain, and your therapist can give you techniques to keep the pain away.

Spine pain is one of the most common types of chronic pain, and physical therapy can be very effective in relieving it. By reducing strain on the spine and restoring fluid movement, physical therapy can help alleviate spine pain. Physical therapy can also be effective for other types of chronic pain, including headaches, neck pain, and shoulder pain.

Physical therapy is an effective treatment for many types of chronic pain, including back pain, neck pain, and joint pain. Physical therapists are trained in how to both assess and treat pain. Our team will work with you to create a treatment plan that includes manual therapy, dry needling, therapeutic exercises, stretches, and other activities to help relieve pain.

There are many types of chronic pain, and each type can respond differently to physical therapy. 

  • Spine pain – May be caused by a herniated disc or degenerative disc disease. Physical therapists can help to relieve this type of pain by stretching and strengthening the muscles around the spine. Spine pain is a common problem caused by various factors, including poor posture, aging, injury, and disease. Physical therapy is an effective treatment for spine pain that can help to relieve your physical symptoms and improve your quality of life. Physical therapy can provide relief from chronic pain by stretching and strengthening the muscles around the spine, improving posture, and increasing flexibility. Physical therapy can also help to prevent further injury by teaching patients how to care for their bodies properly. If you are suffering from spine pain, talk to your doctor about whether physical therapy may be right for you.
  • Joint pain – May be caused by arthritis. Physical therapists can help to relieve this type of pain by allowing you to maintain a good range of motion in the joints and strengthening the muscles around the joints to help you return to the activities that previously caused the pain. 

Your physical therapist will work with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Physical therapy aims to help you reduce or eliminate pain so you can return to your normal activities.

HOW DOES PHYSICAL THERAPY RELIEVE CHRONIC PAIN?

Physical therapy can help relieve chronic pain by addressing the underlying causes of the pain. Spine pain, for example, is often caused by muscle imbalances or tightness in the fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles). Physical therapists can assess these imbalances and develop a treatment plan to address them. This may involve stretches, exercises, manual therapy, and other techniques. By correcting these imbalances, physical therapists can help reduce or eliminate chronic pain.

Spine pain is one of the most common forms of chronic pain. Physical therapy can be an effective treatment for chronic spine pain. The therapist may use hands-on techniques to massage and stretch the soft tissues and joints in the spine. This can help to relieve pain and increase flexibility. The therapist may also provide exercises for the patient to do at home to continue the treatment.

WHAT ARE OTHER BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR CHRONIC PAIN?

Physical therapy can provide significant relief for chronic pain sufferers beyond just masking the pain with medication. Physical therapists are movement experts trained in treatments to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and restore balance when imbalances occur.

For example, someone suffering from lower back pain may be prescribed specific exercises to strengthen the muscles and ligaments supporting the spine. This can help to reduce the amount of pain experienced and prevent further injury.

Similarly, someone with chronic knee pain may benefit from physical therapy to help improve their range of motion and reduce inflammation. In both cases, physical therapy can provide a more sustainable solution for chronic pain than medication alone.

HOW CAN I PREVENT PAIN FROM BECOMING CHRONIC?

  • Seek proper medical treatment for the cause of your pain.
  • Follow the treatment plans for chronic conditions.
  • Develop good sleep habits and avoid fatigue.
  • Manage your stress.
  • Develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise.

There are many benefits of physical therapy for chronic pain sufferers. In addition to helping to lessen pain, physical therapy can also help improve mobility, flexibility, and range of motion. It can also help to prevent further injury by strengthening the muscles and joints. Physical therapy can be an essential part of a chronic pain management plan.

DOES INSURANCE COVER PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR CHRONIC PAIN?

Nearly all insurance carriers have coverage for physical therapy. Contact your insurance provider if you’re still unsure whether your health insurance will cover physical therapy. 

They will be able to give you more specific information about your policy. You can also contact us directly regarding your coverage and additional options for your physical therapy. 

The cost of physical therapy can vary depending on your insurance plan and the type of procedures you need. It’s essential to check with your insurance provider to see what coverage you have for physical therapy before beginning treatment. Your physical therapist costs will also depend on the number of sessions you need and how much your physical therapist charges per session. 

To get an estimate of your physical therapist costs, contact your insurance provider and ask about coverage for physical therapy services. You can also call us at our office for an estimate of the total cost.

Ready to Start?

We understand the extent to which everyday pain issues can limit you and impact the way that you feel about yourself and your body. We specialize in the things that are talked about the least, but often impact us the most.

YOU DESERVE A LIFE WITHOUT PAIN!

Let’s get you feeling better, starting with your very first visit.

Millions of people across the United States live with spine pain. If you’re like them, you’ve tried everything, and now you’ve accepted pain as part of your daily life. But each day it has a negative effect on your health, your work, your family, your hobbies, and your ability to simply enjoy everyday life.
At MS Physical Therapy, we believe you shouldn’t have to go one more day accepting your pain or the limitations it puts on your life. That’s why, starting with your very first visit, our licensed and skilled therapists develop a hands-on, personalized treatment plan to accelerate your path to a pain-free life.

We look forward to working with you and helping you feel empowered and strong.

Get Started Today: Contact Us

You will need a referral from your doctor, nurse practitioner, or chiropractor, so please have those faxed to: 601.203.3633

Can I use my insurance?

YES! We are in network with several insurance companies and will be covered under your physical therapy benefits. We are in network with: BCBS, Cigna, Aetna, and Medicare.

We offer out of network visits as well, and you can use HSA/FSA.

Special Financing Options Available.*

Whether you use your healthcare credit card to cover your deductible, or to pay for treatments and procedures not covered by insurance*, CareCredit helps make the health and wellness treatments and procedures you want possible today.

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