Break the Cycle of Suffering

How Physical Therapy Can Help with Chronic Pain

By Dr. Michael E. Pomykala, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS //

September is “Pain Awareness Month,” so I’m taking this opportunity to acknowledge the impact that chronic pain can have on every aspect of a person’s life. According to Hopkinsmedicine.org, nearly 100 million Americans experience chronic pain —more than those who have diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined. At Scerbo Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation, our certified physical therapists are trained in evidence-based modalities designed to help our patients reduce and manage their chronic pain.

When is pain considered chronic?
The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines chronic pain as ongoing or recurrent pain that lasts beyond the usual course of acute illness or injury or more than 3 to 6 months, and which adversely affects the individual’s well-being.

Physicians anxious to provide fast relief for a patient’s chronic pain may resort to prescribing treatment with opioid painkillers. However, as we know too well from past and current history, opioid drugs are addictive and carry with them serious side-effects such as depression and risk of overdose. Because of these risks, the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines state, (with some exceptions, as for cancer pain) that opioids should not be considered a first or routine therapy for chronic pain. Instead, the CDC recommends non-opioid modalities such as physical therapy.

Our therapists at Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation are pain management specialists. We are trained to use various forms of exercise to reduce chronic pain while promoting normal function of all bodily systems. At Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation we go beyond traditional physical therapy to help you rebuild your core strength, range of motion, and flexibility. We treat pain regardless of cause with an individualized plan to help both athletes and non-athletes manage their pain. Our Physical therapists treat the source of your pain through specific movement, while partnering with you to improve or maintain mobility and quality of life.

Living with chronic pain can be debilitating and interfere with sports activities and daily life. But before you agree to accept the risks of prescription opioids, consult with a Scerbo physical therapist to discuss options for individualized, one-on-one treatment. You don’t have to accept chronic pain as a fact of life. We have many evidence-based therapeutic tools to help you take control of your pain and improve your quality of life now and into the future.

If you are in pain and need physical therapy contact us, our certified clinicians at Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation are here to help. During your initial consultation, we will answer your questions, perform a comprehensive physical exam such as Balance Assessment & Conditioning, and explain exactly how our team will help you achieve your recovery goals. Call us today at (201) 941-2240 to schedule a consultation.