Physiotherapy Based Rehabilitation In Pain Management: Benefits to Patients
Generally physiotherapists get a poor deal. They tend to be viewed as being the ‘Bully Boys’ ( or girls) of the healthcare professions. Often they have to coax, cajole or even be firm with patients in order to get them to do exercises and intensive rehabilitation.
Often patients complain throughout the treatment that it is painful, that the exercises are not having the correct results, or sometimes that they aren’t even doing the correct exercises.
Then something of a miracle happens. Towards the end of the rehabilitation programme, patients suddenly find that they are very much improved, they have much more flexibility, more strength within muscles, much less pain and they are able to lead a much more normal life, than before. So in the end it all becomes worth it, but the process may not be palatable to some patients!
Benefits of Physiotherapy
There are many benefits to undertaking physiotherapy but perhaps the single most important benefit to be had is that a course of physiotherapy or a rehabilitation programme based on physiotherapy is the most important way that you can actually help yourself and manage your pain.
Many painful conditions arise from wear and tear on the body, from sudden trauma or injury or through incorrect techniques when playing sport or lifting items and so on. But physiotherapy can not only repair some of the damage that has been done, but it can give patients the increased strength in that part of the body, or the increased flexibility to ensure that the condition does not arise again.
Since physiotherapy exercises are specifically designed for the condition that a particular patient may have, they work on many levels to reduce pain, increase the muscle strength and the strength of bones, that without these exercises, only temporary relief may be gained from a condition and it is extremely likely to reoccur if exercises aren’t done to ensure that the strength and flexibility are maintained.
Drug Reduction
Whilst it may seem easier for some patients to take an analgesic to reduce pain levels, patients should still make the effort to help themselves alleviate the pain. Long term use of analgesics or any painkillers is not a good idea, simply because painkillers do come with potential side effects and there may even be the risk of becoming addicted to the painkillers (although this risk is much lower than is sometimes portrayed in the media).
Using physiotherapy to alleviate pain is therefore a goal that should be worked towards, as opposed to simply relying on medication.
Minimising The Risk Of Surgery
If patients can undertake physiotherapy rehabilitation they are far less likely to have to undergo surgery and even if they do, then physiotherapy can help the body be prepared for surgery and then assist the recovery process.
Patients who are unwilling or unable to undertake physiotherapy are those most likely to have to undergo surgery and yet physiotherapy is a much easier and often far less painful route than surgery.
So if you are recommended to undertake physiotherapy rehabilitation, then look at it being the fast track to pain reduction and the return to a ‘normal life’ again, rather than anything negative!
