Using Physical and Aquatic Therapy to Relieve Chronic Pain

For people who suffer from chronic pain, every day seems a battle to maintain the quality of life that your friends or family experience. As with any chronic condition, there is a feeling of hopelessness when people think there is no way to overcome it.

Maryland Pain and Wellness Center understands the effects of chronic pain which is why we take a multidisciplinary approach to pain management and treatment. Our therapists combine physical and aquatic therapy to boost functionality, core strength, weight loss, and overall well-being of the body.

Why Therapists Are Essential for Pain Management

Physical and aquatic therapists provide patients with a wide array of knowledge and experience that restores the body’s function and movement. Strategic pain management implements alternative approaches to medicine while reducing dependency on medication. While it may still be necessary depending on the medical condition, therapy allows patients to reduce pain naturally while also strengthening the mind and the body.

• Therapists educate patients on pain management strategies.
• Patients learn stretching technique and muscle conditioning exercises from trained professionals.
• The body builds energy to complete daily activities.
• Physical and aquatic therapy help patients recover safely.

Physical Therapy:

Patients historically relied on prescription medicine to alleviate pain. A chemical dependency counterbalances quality of life measures because of the side effects that often lead to loss of activity. As the body loses neuropathic or musculoskeletal capabilities, the chronic pain intensifies which is why physical therapy is an advantage for pain management.

• Physical therapy helps reduce the need for surgical intervention.
• Treatment improves movement and rehabilitation after an accident or loss of use.
• Therapy rehabilitates injuries while increasing functionality.
• Patients have access to a variety of medical technique and equipment that elevates the quality of care received.

The CDC found that physical therapy is the ideal treatment for numerous conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia. It also relieves different types of pain that is prominent in the back, hip, arms, and knees. Moreover, patients learn proper techniques to safely move about in their regular routines which further prevents additional injury or debilitation.

Aquatic Therapy:

Water therapy provides an alternative to physical therapy because it maintains activity and builds strength while a medical condition or an injury improves.

• The body’s weight reduces as much as 75% when submerged to the chest area which ideally helps those limited because of age or weight.
• The warmer temperature massages your muscles and nerves while also providing benefits from a healthy exercise routine.
• The water serves as a natural resistance which supports patients without the risk of additional injury from exercise equipment.
• An aquatic environment makes exercise more enjoyable and relaxing.
• Therapy is versatile as a patient may benefit from walking on an underwater treadmill, water aerobics, or merely swimming laps which makes exercise seem less redundant.

People are at risk for chronic pain anytime the body is not functioning correctly. Aging, injury, poor diet, and medical illness requires specialized physical and aquatic treatment plans. As each patient acquires the skills necessary to live a healthier and happier lifestyle, pain management will become less of a daily concern because of our multi-disciplined approach to healthcare.