Those who suffer from chronic pain often become weakened due to inactivity – it simply hurts too much to move. One of the primary objectives of physical therapy is to help chronic pain sufferers become stronger. A physical therapist (PT) can teach patients how to move safely, and in ways that they haven’t been able to for some time. There are numerous pain treatment options used in physical therapy, including manual therapy, massage, movement therapy, and dry needling, all available at Metropolitan Physical Therapy, LLC in Lafayette.
Dry needling, also called trigger point dry needling, is a therapy commonly performed by medical doctors and physical therapists. It’s often employed as a treatment method for those suffering from muscle pain as well as pain in the tissue that connects muscles. Sometimes muscles develop “knots” that are quite painful and cause the sufferer considerable distress. In dry needling, the therapist inserts extremely thin needles into these trigger points. The needles are not used to deliver medication but to stimulate the tissue. Dry needling changes the way the muscle group and brain communicate, letting the system return to its regular pattern of movement.
Dry needling is just one of the methods employed in physical therapy as highly effective treatment for relieving chronic pain. The objective of physical therapy is to strengthen the affected muscle group, develop endurance, increase joint stability, and increase muscle and joint flexibility, and it deals with stiffness and soreness in joints using a combination of specific exercise, manipulation, and massage. Sports medicine physicians confirm that following a PT’s prescribed exercise routine for three or four 30-minute sessions weekly will cause a dramatic reduction in chronic pain. Physical therapy also helps the body heal itself as it encourages the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals. If you or someone you love is suffering from chronic pain, call Metropolitan Physical Therapy, LLC in Lafayette to learn how we can help.
