If you’re experiencing persistent pain lasting from three to six months, then you’re part of the nearly one-third of Americans living with chronic pain. Unlike other joint or muscle problems, the cause of your long-lasting pain isn’t always easy to identify. That’s because for many, this kind of pain is not always constant and can come and go, occurring anywhere in your body. Even if you can’t see your pain, it can still affect you, make daily activities harder and keep you from doing the things you love. If you’re tired of feeling limited from your chronic pain, it may be time to work with a physical therapist and reap the benefits of physical therapy.
Common types of chronic pain:Â
- Arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis)Â
- Nerve damage (neuropathy)
- Back pain (herniated discs, muscle strain)
- Neck pain (degenerative disc disease, nerve compression)
- Chronic headaches (migraines, tension headaches)Â
What is manual therapy and how can it help relieve chronic pain?
Manual therapy is a type of treatment where physical therapists use their hands to gently press and move your muscles, soft tissue and joints that may be contributing to your discomfort. This form of therapy has many benefits for treating chronic pain. Some commonly used manual therapy treatment options include massage therapy, joint mobilization and myofascial release.
Below are four ways that manual therapy may help you in your recovery:Â
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Reduces muscle tensionÂ
By using their hands in massage-like movements, a physical therapist can help gently break up any tight muscle tissue that may be causing you pain and restricting movement. This helps promote muscle relaxation through the release of built-up tension.Â
- Improves range of motionÂ
Chronic pain can sometimes make it harder to move as freely as you used to, but with the right treatment, it’s possible to regain comfort and mobility. Manual therapy helps to stretch and mobilize the body to increase flexibility and overall movement.
- Improves postureÂ
When your body isn’t aligned properly, or you move differently because of pain, it can put extra stress on other areas of your body. Over time, this added pressure can lead to more pain. Some studies suggest that manual therapy is especially good for forward head posture, which may lead to chronic shoulder pain.Â
- Speeds up recoveryÂ
Through gentle manipulation, this type of therapy helps reduce inflammation and improves your blood flow. Better blood flow brings oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and joints, which can help your body heal faster.
Find relief from chronic pain at REPAIR SI
You don’t have to face chronic pain alone. At REPAIR SI, we understand that your pain is unique to you. Our team can help you find the right therapy techniques to ease pain, move better and get you feeling stronger.
Contact our team for more information about how we can support your journey to reduce and better manage chronic pain or to schedule an initial evaluation.