Physical therapy — the missing piece of pain management

When you think of pain management, medication is probably the first thing that comes to mind. The problem is that medication typically treats the symptoms of pain and doesn’t treat the underlying source. This is where physical therapy comes in as a critical, often fundamental, part of managing pain associated with a wide range of conditions and injuries.

In addition to improving or restoring function and mobility, pain relief is one of the primary goals of physical therapy. A qualified physical therapist can help you create a personalized treatment plan that is built on evidence-based pain management methods.

Excel Sports and Physical Therapy is a team who is passionate about delivering patient-centered care, starting with education. Please take a moment to read the following information and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to learn more.  

How does physical therapy relieve pain?

Physical therapy can relieve pain using a combination of active and passive techniques. Active therapies are exercises and other methods that patients do themselves while passive therapies are performed on patients, with or without the assistance of equipment.

While physical therapy can provide short-term relief, the main goal is long-term pain management. This can be accomplished the following ways:

• If a pinched nerve is the source of pain, physical therapy can relieve pressure on the nerve through exercises designed to improve posture and reduce painful movements.
• Physical therapy techniques help increase blood flow to injured areas, assisting the natural healing process.
• Following your therapist’s advice for healthy lifestyle choices, including practicing good posture, getting regular exercise and eating a nutritious diet, that can reduce pain and inflammation.

It is critical to choose a physical therapist with the right credentials and experience who can help you create a care plan for your individual needs.  

Excel Sports and Physical Therapy has decades of experience in pain relief

With roots in providing physical therapy services in the greater St. Louis region that go back to 1984, our mission at Excel is to help you find relief and return to the quality of life you deserve. Our veteran staff has decades of combined experience in a wide breadth of physical therapy methods.

If you’re in pain and want to learn more about how physical therapy can help, please contact us today to schedule your initial appointment.