Chronic Pain Treatment Parramatta

Chronic Pain Treatment Parramatta

Acute pain and chronic pain refer to the time since the onset of the problem. These terms do not refer to the severity of the pain but only the duration of the symptoms. Acute pain refers to the period from the moment of the symptoms started – usually less than 12 weeks. Chronic pain is referred to symptoms which have been ongoing for over 12 weeks. Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta can help you with diagnosis and treatment of both acute and chronic symptoms.

The Healing Process

After sustaining an injury, our body goes through a healing process . The amount of time our body takes to heal varies depending on our age and other factors. If there was a significant injury which our body went through, there may be bleeding which can take 24-48 hours to completely stop.  Our body can also be injured due to overuse factors. The injury may be due to micro tears which result in inflammation. Blood vessels in the area open up to carry oxygen, nutrients and various other ingredients for repair.

Inflammation begins within thirty minutes of injury and provides the environment for healing to take place. Even though inflammation creates extra swelling and pain, it is an essential part of the healing process. It is the body’s way of healing itself. Swelling creates extra pressure on healthy structures which is painful. It is important to note, inflammation is a normal part of the healing process and if it proceeds normally, it will end between four and six weeks after the injury.

Our body does not regenerate injured tissue. Instead, it creates scar tissue to fill the gaps where damage took place. This process continues over the same period as the inflammatory stage. Scar tissue is often tight and needs to be gently stretched to make if flexible.

Definition of Chronic Pain

Most injuries are pain free within four to six weeks of injury and proceed along the normal healing path. Chronic pain is present when pain lasts more than 12 weeks. Healing has not resolved in the normal way and that can happen for many reasons. It is important to understand that chronic pain may arise from many types of tissues and may still be present even following previous treatment.

The management of chronic pain can be further complicated when there is a re-injury of the original problem, resulting in a new acute episode of the underlying chronic injury.

Diagnosis

Pain rarely occurs for no reason, accurate diagnosis is very important. Without a diagnosis, effective treatment cannot be provided. Physiotherapists use a range of movements and tests which can test an injury and give you a diagnosis.

This ability to differentiate between tissues is very useful. We do not treat pain directly, we identify the area which is at fault and determine what has happened – be it biomechanics or something else. Based on the diagnosis, a targeted treatment plan is then developed.

Treatment

Treatment has several stages. Initial treatment is based on reducing pain. Followed by restoring normal function in the damaged structures as healing takes place.

When there is chronic pain, quite often there are multiple sites which are at fault. Physiotherapists will identify and correct any factors which have contributed to the development of the injury by asking you lots of questions during the subjective assessment and going through different movements during the objective tests.

The diagnosis of Chronic Pain and the choice of treatment will need to be made by a health care team which includes your  GP and Physiotherapist and other health care practitioners.

Medications

Pain killers and anti-inflammatories may be used if the diagnosis suggests they will be beneficial.

Direct Physiotherapy Treatment

• Stretches
• Soft tissue treatment
• Joint mobilisation
• Ultrasound and other electrotherapy
• Exercises to regain strength, movement

Physiotherapy Management

• Correction of bio mechanical issues
• Postural correction
• Sporting technique modification
• Provision of orthotics and footwear advice
• Providing a return to activity plan

In the event of a severe injury where Physiotherapy is not appropriate, the patient will be referred directly to a doctor and on to the appropriate professional for further investigation and treatment. In the event surgery is required, Physiotherapy rehabilitation will be arranged afterward.

PROGNOSIS OF CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT

Chronic pain often recovers well with specific Physiotherapy management, even though pains has been present for months or years. The goals of treatment are to achieve the best quality healing with a pain free, full range of movement and normal function, so there is a minimal likelihood of a recurrence in the future.
For an assessment of your injury please contact Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta on 0479 080 800.

Contact us today on 0479 080 800 to make a booking. Alternatively you can email us on [email protected]. Our Physiotherapists are Medicare, NDIS, DVA and Work Cover approved, specialising in injury management and rehabilitation to get you back to full function.