The Truth About Physiotherapy: What Is It and How Can It Help with Pain Relief?

Research by Health Canada suggests that 9 million Canadians will be living with chronic pain by 2030. Some of the most common causes of chronic pain include nerve damage, arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraine, and multiple sclerosis.

Fortunately, various medications and types of treatment can provide pain relief, including physiotherapy. This field has become increasingly popular in Canada in recent years, with the number of licensed physiotherapists rising by 3.8% between 2020 and 2021.

Skilled physiotherapists can employ various techniques to relieve pain, as well as improve mobility, encourage recovery after injuries, and improve overall wellness.

If you are living with any degree of pain, but particularly chronic pain, physiotherapy may help you find relief. In this post, we will explore four reasons why you should try it, four alternative treatments to consider, and other expert insights.

4 Reasons Why You Should Consider Physiotherapy for the Treatment of Chronic Pain

Tailored Treatment Plans Based on the Cause and Nature of Your Pain

Physiotherapy can be a highly effective chronic pain treatment. Your physiotherapist will create a customized treatment plan based on the cause and nature of your pain.

Bloor Yonge Chiropractic combines multiple active and passive mechanical approaches to treat pain. A key part of our chronic pain solutions is the initial examination: during your first appointment at our clinic, one of our skilled physiotherapists will conduct a comprehensive physical assessment.

This gives you an opportunity to discuss your medical background, injuries or conditions that may be responsible for your chronic pain, and any other issues that you consider relevant. Your physiotherapist will be able to provide the most effective chronic pain treatment when they have as much detail as you can provide. During your examination, your physiotherapist will also perform orthopedic, neurological, and functional examinations for an accurate diagnosis.

Chronic Pain Exercises to Alleviate Discomfort and Restore Range of Motion

Certain types of pain, such as back pain, or joint injuries can limit your mobility in various ways. For example, a knee injury may prevent you from bending and extending your leg fully, affecting your ability to walk comfortably, work, or enjoy even moderate exercise.

To help resolve this, a physiotherapist will help you perform carefully chosen chronic pain exercises targeting the areas affected. Repeating exercises as shown may gradually relieve pain and restore range of motion, boosting flexibility and mobility. In the case of back pain and sciatica, a number of highly regarded McKenzie exercises will be performed.

All exercises are selected and applied based on careful examinations, so while some may feel uncomfortable initially, they are ultimately devised to relieve pain. A physiotherapist will help you perform chronic pain exercises initially, but over time you should be able to perform them without assistance.

Treatment Plans May Incorporate Other Chronic Pain Solutions

Physiotherapists working with patients to relieve and manage chronic pain may incorporate other treatments into the plan. These include acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic treatment, decompression, shockwave, laser and ultrasound. We will cover these in more detail below.

Alongside your physiotherapy, additional treatments could increase the rate at which your body recovers and symptoms start to abate. Your physiotherapist will only recommend additional treatments when necessary, and they will talk you through your options carefully to ensure you understand the potential benefits.

Receive Education in Pain Management Techniques and Injury Prevention

Last but not least, your physiotherapist will provide you with insights into proper body mechanics and injury-prevention techniques to help you fight chronic pain independently. This can also reduce the risk of further injuries (if relevant to your pain) and flare-ups in the future.

4 Alternatives to Physiotherapy for a More Natural Approach to Pain Management

We previously touched on alternative treatments for chronic pain that may be recommended alongside your physiotherapy sessions. Below, we will explore four of your options in detail:

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the most well-known alternative treatments for chronic pain. Practitioners insert tiny needles into specific areas of the body to stimulate muscles and nerves, with an aim to relieve pain and encourage healing.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is one of the most common natural remedies for chronic pain. Massage therapy relieves tension by boosting blood flow in treated areas, relaxing muscles, and reducing stress.

Another key benefit is that a professional massage is an incredibly relaxing experience, which can provide much-needed respite from lasting pain.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic care has become another one of the most popular alternative treatments for chronic pain.. A chiropractor uses numerous techniques to manipulate and realign problematic areas of the body to alleviate pain.

Healthy Foods and Supplements

When considering natural remedies for chronic pain, certain foods, herbs, and supplements may help. For example, ginger is believed to encourage pain relief due to its anti-inflammatory properties, as is turmeric. Your physiotherapist should be able to recommend foods and supplements capable of fighting chronic pain.

Can Physiotherapy Really Reduce Your Pain?

Now that you have reached the end of this post, you may be wondering: can physio really help with your pain? It’s a common question, and the answer is yes.

When performed by a trained, experienced, licensed team, physiotherapy can fight chronic pain and provide you with the education to manage your pain in years to come.

Bloor Yonge Chiropractic is dedicated to providing physiotherapy and additional pain-management services of the highest standard. We utilize the latest techniques and equipment to deliver the right treatment for each patient.

It’s natural that you would ask “does physio really reduce your pain?”, and our team is happy to discuss your concerns and requirements in detail. Your initial examination is ideal for exploring any expectations or questions you may have, and setting your mind at ease.

As for that other common question, “how much will physio cost me?”, Bloor Yonge Chiropractic offers treatment at highly competitive prices. Book your appointment at our Toronto clinic today to find out more.