Physiotherapy and pain management

Sometimes pain relief can be accomplished through physiotherapy. Physiotherapy involves treatment that focuses on prevention of injuries or disabilities. Physiotherapy helps to relieve pain, promote healing and restore function and movement.

Physiotherapy is practised by professionally trained physiotherapists who are specialists, skilled and educated specifically in proper rehabilitation. In the UK while physiotherapy is the main form of physical therapy available, osteopathy and chiropractic are also now regarded as effective therapies for a similar range of conditions.

How is physiotherapy used to treat pain?

A therapist may focus on decreasing pain with either passive or active therapy. Examples of passive techniques include:

• Heat/ice packs
• TENS units
• Ultrasound

Examples of active techniques include:

• Stretching and range of motion exercises
• Strengthening exercises
• Pain-relief exercises
• Low-impact aerobic conditioning

Points to consider about physiotherapy and pain

An important aspect to bear in mind about physiotherapy and pain relief is that individuals may respond differently to therapy. People have different types of bodies, different patterns of movement, different alignments and different habits. Physiotherapists and their trained staff can monitor each individual and attempt to correct improper habits, alignments and movement patterns.