3 Benefits of Physiotherapy for Chronic and Acute Pain
Multiple studies prove that physiotherapy is an effective way to relieve pain symptoms in patients suffering from arthritis, acute lower back pain and knee pain, and chronic pain caused by injuries. Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, covers a range of scientific, evidence-based treatments, including kinesiology (the study of the body’s movements), exercise prescription, massage therapy, and joint mobilization among many others.
“Attacking” the Source of the Pain
Unlike painkillers, which only treat pain symptoms, physiotherapy actually addresses its root cause. As far as acute and chronic pain are concerned, this could be any number of things, including injuries like sprains and strains, poor posture, muscle weakness, poor muscle flexibility, and poor body movements.
But how exactly does physiotherapy do this? Below are three specific examples.
1. Relief Against Knee Pain
According to a study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science, physiotherapy provided significant pain relief to individuals suffering from mild, moderate, and severe pain caused by knee osteoarthritis. These findings are not surprising. After all, pain caused by an arthritic joint can be reduced by improving the joint’s strength and flexibility.
Physiotherapists remove the source of the pain through a number of ways. For example, there may be muscle tightness around the knee, which can be treated with specific stretches and exercises. Pain may also be caused by an inflamed joint or muscle, in which case a physiotherapist can use a combination of hot and cold compression and massage therapy to soothe the area.
2. Fixing Lower Back Pain with Proper Posture
Very often the cause of lower back pain is poor posture. If a physiotherapist confirms this to be true in your case, treatment may involve a three-step approach: weight management to ease joint stress, muscle strengthening to improve spinal mobility, and muscle conditioning.
The last step is especially important as it is usually caused by poor sitting posture—an issue common to millions of office workers in the U.S. A physiotherapist can “teach” your body not to slouch when sitting, reducing pressure on joints and muscles in the back.
3. Expediting Injury Recovery
Pain caused by strains and sprains are all too common among athletes and individuals who live an active lifestyle. Physiotherapists are specifically trained to assess injured bones and muscles, and develop an effective treatment plan based on the extent of the injury and pain experienced by the patient. This will often include mobility exercises that help the injured area heal more quickly.
A physiotherapist can also prescribe appropriate injury-related strengthening exercises to ensure the muscles around the injured area, ensuring that you maintain strength without complicating the injury even further.
Make Physiotherapy Work for You
To ensure your pain symptoms are managed safely, it’s important to work with trusted physiotherapists with a proven track record of success. At Princeton Health Care Center, we take a holistic approach to pain management and relief, taking the time to understand what each patient needs. Get in touch with Princeton Health Care Center today to learn more about our physiotherapy program.