Chronic and persistent pain is a common condition that presents at ME Physio. Chronic pain is any persistent symptoms or pain that last for more than 3 months. It can be caused by a number of factor including injury, illness, medical history of previous surgery. Common chronic pain conditions that our team regularly see at ME Physio include chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis.

Whilst a number of chronic pain conditions cannot necessarily be reversed or “fixed”, physiotherapy can greatly assist to help you manage the symptoms and in many cases prevent further changes.

The benefits of physiotherapy for chronic pain include:

• Reducing pain: Physiotherapy can assist to greatly reduce pain. This will help to reduce stress on the affected area and allow you to gradually do more and more.
• Increasing flexibility and mobility: Physiotherapy can help to increase mobility by improving the range of motion of the joints. This can help people to move more easily and freely.
• Reducing stiffness: By improving the range of motion at the joint, physiotherapy can help reduce stiffness. This will allow you to move more easily and freely.
• Improving strength: Doing exercise can improve strength which can offload the amount of stress and strain going through your joints.
• Improving function: By improving the range of motion, strength, and flexibility of the muscles and joints this can make doing daily activities such as sitting or getting dressed with less pain and difficulty.
• Improving quality of life: By becoming more active, independent and in control can lead to a better quality of life.
• Improving sleep: By reducing pain and increasing overall physical activity, physiotherapy can improve your quality of sleep. We know that improving sleep has a direct correlation with recovery and decreased pain levels.

How can physiotherapy treat chronic pain?

Physiotherapy can be a very effective and successful treatment for chronic pain. Whilst there is no immediate or short term solution, a good physiotherapist will be able to not only address your symptoms and provide relief, but assist in getting you healthier and stronger.

Your physiotherapist will assess thoroughly and get an accurate understanding of everything that is contributing to your chronic pain and symptoms. Our team at ME Physio specialise and are able to provide a realistic treatment plan.

What can a physiotherapist do for chronic pain?

Your physiotherapist may use a number of different techniques to treat chronic pain. Most importantly, the approach that your physiotherapist uses will be unique for and tailored for you. Commonly, your treatment plan will be a combination of the common techniques including:

• Exercise: Exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce pain and improve function. Your physiotherapist will design an exercise program that is tailored to the your individual needs and goals.
• Manual therapy: Manual therapy is a hands-on technique that can be used to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and increase flexibility. This includes massage, mobilisations and manipulation.
• Dry Needling: Dry needling is a technique designed to reduce pain using a number of fine needles.
• Education: Understanding your condition and how to manage your pain is one of the best ways to treat chronic pain. This includes how to do other activities that can help to reduce pain and improve function.

Physiotherapy can be a very effective treatment for chronic pain. It can not only help to reduce pain, but equally important will help to improve strength, function and quality of life. At ME Physio, we have a range of services that greatly assist in the management of your chronic pain. This includes our Hydro for ME, Pilates for ME and Clinical Strength and Conditioning for ME. If you are experiencing chronic pain, get in touch with our team at ME Physio to get started or book online today.