If there is one thing that is frustrating for people, that is pain. No matter the severity of it, pain may interfere with your work, sleep and everyday activities inspiring the worst kind of helplessness. It is generally this symptom that takes you to the doctor looking for immediate relief.
Fortunately, there is a healthcare profession that can help with acute and chronic pain and that is physiotherapy. This medical treatment helps people restore, maintain and maximize their strength, function, movement and overall well-being with the help of a variety of pain-relieving methods.
Well-trained physiotherapists who work in specialized medical centers take holistic approaches to address all aspects of people’s wellbeing to improve their quality of life.
So, if you are suffering from any kind of pain, a skilled physiotherapist from best physiotherapy in Edmonton can help you alleviate the symptoms and live a pain-free life.
Which pain conditions can be treated with physiotherapy?
Before we delve into the different ways of how physiotherapy is used for pain relief, it is important to note which conditions can be treated with this type of medical treatment. The conditions can be rounded into several categories:
- Orthopedic, which mainly refer to back pain, arthritis, sciatica, knee conditions, joint problems and foot conditions;
- Neurological, such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, nerve damage, vertigo and concussion;
- Autoimmune, like rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud’s syndrome;
- Chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure.
The treatment you receive will be mainly based on the pain condition you are suffering from. Some people also see a physiotherapist for different reasons such as after surgery, due to injuries, aging or simply to improve their general wellness.
Physiotherapy interventions
The great thing about physiotherapy is that it takes a holistic approach to alleviate pain symptoms. This means that these specialized medical professionals do treatments on the whole body to address the underlying factors that contribute to your aches and pains. The most popular treatments include:
Massage
Therapeutic massage is a widely used physiotherapy technique that manages chronic pain. It offers both physical and mental relief and can alleviate pain symptoms by soothing painful muscles, joints and tendons. It is so powerful that it has also proven effective in relieving stress and anxiety which may also contribute to pain.
Manual therapy
Manual physiotherapy is another popular treatment method in which practitioners use their hands to put pressure on muscle tissues and manipulate joints to decrease back pain caused by muscle spasms, muscle tension and joint dysfunction. This technique will help restore mobility to stiff joints and promote more natural movement without pain.
ints and promote more natural movement without pain.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another common physiotherapy intervention that involves the use of fine needles to puncture strategic points on the body where the pain is present such as in the back, neck, knees or shoulders. That’s why this technique is often recommended for people who suffer from chronic back pain, headaches and pain in the limbs.
Electrotherapy treatment
Electrotherapy is used to treat a variety of pain conditions ranging from muscle pain to arthritis. This technique uses an electric current to stimulate nerves and muscles through the skin to alleviate body pain, increase blood circulation in the body and relax muscle spasms. Because there are a few types of electrotherapy, your physiotherapist will assign you one based on your condition.
Improving your fitness
Besides undergoing a specialized physiotherapy intervention, you can also create your own pain management program to alleviate pain symptoms and improve your fitness. Some things you can do include engaging in physical activity such as stretching, walking, swimming and exercising, meditating, changing your diet and getting a good night’s sleep.
The key is to choose something that you will enjoy the most and will give you the desired results you are looking for. If you need help with this, you can always consult with your physiotherapist to tell you which home treatment methods you can employ to reduce pain.
Final thoughts
If you are suffering from pain in your body, you can rely on physiotherapy to help you manage the symptoms. This medical treatment provides pain relief by using a variety of methods that target affected areas and restore and maintain your body’s function, movement and strength. All you have to do is consult with a physiotherapist and choose a treatment option which will best suit your needs.
For more information about physiotherapy, be sure to refer back to our post to learn how this health practice is used for pain relief.