One of the main reasons patients give for putting off physical therapy is a fear that the process will create or exacerbate pain. Sometimes, patients fail to mention new or increasing pain after therapy because they think it is a natural part of the healing process.
The reality, however, is that the therapy is a tool used to improve health and well-being, not detract from it. Your physical therapist wants you to know these seven things about the pain after physical therapy. Knowing what to expect will help you to approach any discomfort physical therapy causes with confidence and success.
Physical therapy decreases pain over the long-term
While patients perceive the therapy as a process that increases pain and aims to lessen the pain, not improve it.
You may experience discomfort using a tailored treatment program to heal and strengthen your body. However, the therapy regimen that works should result in less pain and greater functionality over time.
You can attend your therapy sessions with confidence. You and the therapist have the same goal: to set you on the path to better health and a more fulfilling life by reducing the pain you currently experience.Â
Discomfort and soreness are part of the healing process
Physical therapists make one of the essential distinctions between discomfort and genuine pain when discussing the perception of pain following therapy. It’s normal to feel uncomfortable and painful after the therapy since your body has to be trained.
The same logic holds when gaining strength through exercise or training. A certain level of tension in the muscles is necessary, which might cause annoyance and pain.
This soreness can be viewed as “good pain” since the tension promotes the muscle to recover and strengthen. Similar gratifying soreness you could feel following a challenging physical activity or a good exercise.
As a result, patients should welcome any discomfort they experience following the therapy as evidence that their treatment plan is effective.
Physical therapy should never cause actual pain.
However, this therapy should never cross over discomfort and soreness into actual pain. You must stop your routine therapy and speak with your therapist when discomfort occurs.
The following are the leading causes of your experience following physical treatment that you should be worried about:
- Existing pain doesn’t get better over time; it gets worse.
- You feel fresh anguish.
- The range of motion starts to deteriorate.
- Physical therapy treats the symptoms instead of addressing the root of your problem.Â
Pain is a very individual experience.
No two people experience pain in the same way. Each person’s unique experiences, physiology, psychology, injury, personality, and more will determine how they respond to physical therapy.
That is why you should never compare your experience of pain after therapy to anyone else’s. For example, do not ignore worsening pain simply because your friend did similar exercises and felt fine.
Instead, embrace physical therapy as your journey toward healing, and seek a therapist willing and able to work with you as an individual.
With a therapist who takes your experiences seriously and tailors your treatment to your needs, you should be able to get back to a healthy and functional life without suffering severe pain.
Your physical therapist routine can be modified to prevent pain.
One of the significant advantages of this therapy is the presence of numerous approaches and treatments to address a wide range of ailments.
If one approach does not yield the results you need, or if something you are doing is causing pain, your therapist can work with you to modify the regimen. You may need to do an exercise differently or replace a workout with a different approach altogether.
When choosing a physical therapist, look for someone experienced in many state-of-the-art approaches, techniques, and technologies to treat your problem. They will be equipped to adapt your therapy to achieve the desired results with minimal pain.
Communication with the physical therapist is essential to your recovery
Sometimes, patients fail to inform their physical therapists about the pain they feel after a treatment session. The problem is that staying quiet about physical therapy pain can worsen discomfort and even additional injury.
Instead, feel free to communicate with the therapist whenever you have a question or concern about your recovery. If you are experiencing pain, you may be doing an exercise wrong, need a different exercise, or require another change.
Your therapist can help you evaluate your pain and find solutions that help you heal.
If you do not feel comfortable telling your physical therapist about discomfort after your sessions, you should find another therapist. The professional you choose should be compassionate, attentive, and easy to talk to, no matter your questions about your recovery.
Know what to do if you experience pain after therapy
If you experience pain, limited range of motion, or other problems after physical therapy, know how to address your concerns and ensure that you remain on the path to health.
The first step is to stop whatever makes your pain worse, which might mean suspending a specific exercise.
The next step is to communicate with your therapist. Expressing your concerns allows your therapist to identify the problem and take steps to change it so you can continue healing but without pain.
Physical therapists aim to help us heal with tailored and compassionate therapy services. We will never dismiss your pain. Instead, we will work with you to create a customized treatment plan for your needs.
It is time to get on the path to health–With less pain. Contact them today to get started!Â
