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Chronic Pain Physiotherapy



Chronic pain refers to a pain that doesn't (seem) to go away, and has lasted for at least three (3) months since it happened. Example is someone who injured their back, resulting in back pain, and even after 3 month, they are still experiencing back pain - that's termed as chronic back pain.

There are different schools of thought of how to define pain and its length of time before it can be classified as "chronic", but to make things simple, we classify it simply as pain that has lasted beyond 3 months of when it first started (which confirms that the duration has gone beyond the usual healing time required)

types of chronic pain

There are two (2) general types of chronic long term pain:

  1. Nociceptive Pain - pain experienced that is caused by activation of nociceptors in our body

  2. Neuropathic Pain - pain experienced that are caused by damage or abnormal functioning of our nervous and/or neurological system

pain's effect on tasks and activities

Research papers are showing that long term pain does impact, influence and affects the patient's brain functions. Patients often have common mental challenges, indicating of:

  • difficulty paying/sustaining attention
  • difficulty remembering details/information
  • difficulty completing tasks/activities

This may be due to ongoing pain that distracts their attention, which in turn decreases their ability to focus and participate in any activities or work in the scope that they'd like to be in (eg back pain, or fear or recurring back pain, causing decrease participation in activities and exercises).

chronic pain management with physiotherapy

Pain is very subjective and diverse, and different patients will have different responses to pain, depending on their:

  • age
  • race
  • gender
  • culture
  • expectation/hope
  • life experience
  • etc

Physiotherapy: will focus primarily on physical aspects of the patient, especially when it comes to improving strength, stamina, stability and removing pain as much as possible. Eg for a patient with back pain, the physio will first focus on pain relief, then provide customized physiotherapy exercises to treat the core cause of the back pain in the first place.

Occupational / Hand Therapy: if it's hand injury resulting in requiring hand therapy, the approach is similar to physiotherapy goals as above. However, occupational therapists often focus on the mental and activity management, eg in the case of patient with back pain, the occupational therapist will focus on

  • pain management be it by visualization, rationalization, regulated deep breathing
  • activity management eg making tasks easier, incorporating pain management techniques
  • normalization of activities of daily living eg dressing, showering, toileting, cooking, etc
  • etc

Patients may benefit from ongoing deep tissue massage therapy and acupuncture therapy, as both of these therapies provide a long-term solution, which is able to "layer benefits" eg if 2 patients had the exact same

  • conditions
  • age
  • gender
  • work
  • responsibilities

but one of them decides for ongoing regular deep tissue therapy and acupuncture therapy, as compared to the other who doesn't, the one who goes for regular treatment will generally recover and heal faster from injuries, is more resilient, less pai experience etc (applies to patients with chronic pain as well).

do not live with pain

Pain is uncomfortable and can cause anxiety, fear and even depression, be it short term or long term pain. Patients may even report

  • difficulties sleeping (hard to fall asleep, waking up frequently, hard to go back to sleep)
  • difficulties coping (increased catastrophizing, over-worry - will benefit from craniosacral therapy for chronic pain)
  • chronic headaches

Some patients may turn to/compensate with excessive sleeping, eating, substance abuse etc - please get in touch with us and we will help walk with you through this painful time. We will also help refer you to professionals that we know can help you.



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book an appointment today
(or check your pains / injuries)

Phoenix Rehab Physio Services

Phoenix Rehab Group works with specialist physiotherapists and rehab therapists who are highly trained, qualified, experienced and passionate to provide high level of expert care to our patients.



HAND THERAPY & CUSTOMIZED SPLINTING

Patients who sustained injuries to their elbows, forearms, hands, wrists (sprains and fractures) and fingers, usually will benefit / require Hand Therapy to

  1. manage and decrease hand pains
  2. improve range of motion, strength and dexterity
  3. increase the function of their hand following injuries or post-operations

Commonly treated hand pain injuries includes



REFORMER CLINICAL PILATES & WELLNESS PILATES

Clinical Pilates is a form of physical exercise that focuses on posture, core stability, balance, control, strength, flexibility and breathing.

It is a system of safe and effective exercises, which meet specific individual needs, to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions.

You may do Pilates as matwork or with the reformer or both, and every session will be customized 100% to your fitness, injury and tolerance.



TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)

  • Cupping TCM
  • Auricular Therapy TCM
  • Herbal TCM Medicine & Supplementation



DEEP TISSUE RELEASE & SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY

Sports and deep tissue release massage helps to increase nutrient-rich blood flow to tired, tight and tense muscles to accelerate recovery and  shorten downtime / recovery period required.

It also prevents muscles from scar tissue micro-tears (and potential ruptures), and increases muscle performance. Having regular deep tissue and sports massage will keep your muscles healthy and fit with body/movement-confidence.

Read the benefits of regular deep tissue release therapy here.



ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

All our allied health therapists and TCM physicians are fully insured and registered with Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Board (TCMB).

See our entire team here with introductions and their specializations.

At the first session, our specialist physiotherapists will carry out a thorough assessment, helping them to select the most appropriate treatment to help you recover as well as provide treatment in the same session.

Follow up sessions are inline to provide expert treatment for your pain as well as prescribing specific exercises to reduce your risk of re-injury and giving you a long term solution.

do Tell Your Family, Friends And Colleagues About Us =)

We appreciate you as our valued clients and want you to know that the # 1 way we grow as a clinic / brand is through word of mouth referrals from valued patients like yourself.

We prefer not to rely on advertising - instead, we prefer and appreciate the goodwill and positive reinforcement from patients. When you have the chance, please tell your family, friends and physicians about the positive results and experience you have had in our physio clinics.

book an appointment today
(or check your pains / injuries)

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