The role of physiotherapy in the recovery and management of chronic pain

Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the recovery and management of chronic pain. Our approach recognizes that chronic pain is complex and may involve multiple factors, and by addressing them, we can promote healing, reduce pain, and improve overall function and quality of life.

Accordingly, there are some key elements of a whole-body approach to chronic pain recovery with physiotherapy, these include:

A Comprehensive Assessment:

A thorough assessment is conducted by a physiotherapist to understand the underlying causes of the chronic pain. This may involve evaluating posture, movement patterns, muscle imbalances, joint mobility, and identify any structural abnormalities or functional limitations.

Individualized Treatment Plan:

A personalized treatment plan is developed to address the specific needs and goals of the individual. This may include a combination of manual therapies, exercises, and education about pain management.

Manual Therapy:

Physiotherapists use various hands-on techniques to address soft tissue restrictions, joint dysfunctions, and muscle imbalances. This may include joint mobilizations, soft tissue massage, myofascial release, and stretching exercises. Manual therapy helps improve mobility, reduce pain, and restore normal tissue function.

Therapeutic Exercise:

Exercise is a fundamental component of physical therapy for chronic pain recovery. The exercise program is tailored to the individual’s capabilities, considering their specific pain condition and overall physical fitness. It may therefore include strengthening exercises, stretching, cardiovascular conditioning, and functional training.

Pain Education:

Physiotherapists educate individuals about the nature of chronic pain, its causes, and the factors that can influence pain perception. We provide guidance on pacing activities, ergonomics, posture correction, and self-management strategies to help individuals regain control over their pain and reduce fear and anxiety associated with movement.

Psychosocial Support:

Chronic pain can have a significant impact on an individual’s mental and emotional well-being. Physiotherapists recognize the importance of addressing psychological factors and provide support or referral to other healthcare professionals, such as psychologists if needed. They may incorporate relaxation techniques, stress management strategies, and cognitive-behavioral approaches to help individuals cope with pain-related psychological distress.

Lifestyle Modifications:

Physical therapy encompasses a holistic approach to chronic pain management, which includes addressing lifestyle factors. Physiotherapists may provide guidance on healthy lifestyle habits, such as nutrition, sleep, and stress reduction techniques. These lifestyle modifications can therefore have a positive impact on pain perception and overall well-being.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration:

Physiotherapists often collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, pain specialists, occupational therapists, and psychologists, to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach to chronic pain management. This multidisciplinary collaboration helps address all aspects of the individual’s pain condition and optimize their recovery.

By adopting a whole-body approach, physiotherapy aims to empower individuals with chronic pain to actively participate in their recovery, improve their physical function, and enhance their overall quality of life. It acknowledges that chronic pain is a complex and multifaceted condition that requires a multidimensional approach for effective management and long-term recovery.

For more information on chronic pain you can read the following articles: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9119740/ and https://www.physio-pedia.com/Chronic_Pain.

How Physiotherapy Can Help with Fibromyalgia

Physiotherapy can play a valuable role in managing fibromyalgia by addressing the symptoms and improving overall physical function. While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, a multidisciplinary approach that includes physiotherapy can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life. Here are some ways in which physiotherapy can help individuals with fibromyalgia:

  1. Pain management: Physiotherapists can use various techniques to help manage pain associated with fibromyalgia. These may include manual therapy, such as soft tissue mobilization or joint mobilization, to reduce muscle tension and improve joint mobility.
  2. Exercise therapy: Regular exercise is an essential component of managing fibromyalgia. However, it’s crucial to approach exercise carefully to avoid exacerbating symptoms. A physiotherapist can design an individualized exercise program that includes a combination of aerobic exercises, strength training, flexibility exercises, and low-impact activities such as swimming or cycling. This can help improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, joint flexibility, and overall energy levels.
  3. Education and self-management strategies: Physiotherapists can provide education and guidance on self-management strategies for individuals with fibromyalgia. This may include advice on pacing activities and energy conservation techniques to reduce strain on the body. They can also educate patients about proper posture, body mechanics, and relaxation techniques to manage pain and stress.
  4. Sleep management: Sleep disturbances are common in fibromyalgia. Physiotherapists can provide recommendations for improving sleep quality and offer relaxation techniques to promote better sleep quality.
  5. Stress reduction: Stress can exacerbate fibromyalgia symptoms. Physiotherapists may incorporate stress reduction techniques such as breathing exercises, mindfulness, or gentle yoga to help individuals manage stress levels and improve overall well-being.
  6. Assistive devices and aids: In some cases, physiotherapists may recommend the use of assistive devices, such as braces or splints, to support joints and reduce pain during activities. They can also provide guidance on the proper use of assistive devices to maximize their benefits.

It’s important to note that each individual with fibromyalgia may have different needs and responses to treatment. A physiotherapist will assess the specific symptoms, limitations, and goals of the patient and tailor the treatment plan accordingly. It is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a physiotherapist, to receive personalized advice and guidance for managing fibromyalgia.

Would you like to read more then click on this link or click here for more information.

What is the role of physiotherapists?

Physiotherapists, also known as physical therapists in some countries, are healthcare professionals who are trained and licensed to diagnose, evaluate, and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiovascular conditions that affect an individual’s physical function and mobility. They work with patients of all ages, from infants to elderly individuals, and may provide services in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, sports facilities, and private practices.

Physiotherapists use evidence-based techniques and interventions to assess, treat, and manage a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

  • Musculoskeletal conditions: Such as back pain, neck pain, joint pain, fractures, sprains, strains, and other musculoskeletal injuries.
  • Neurological conditions: Such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, and other conditions affecting the nervous system.
  • Cardiovascular and respiratory conditions: Such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and other conditions affecting the heart and lungs.
  • Sports injuries: Such as ligament tears, muscle strains, and other injuries related to sports and physical activity.
  • Post-surgical rehabilitation: Helping patients recover and regain function after surgeries such as joint replacements, spinal surgeries, and other surgical procedures.
  • Pediatric conditions: Such as developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and other conditions affecting children.

Physiotherapists use a variety of treatment techniques and modalities to help their patients, including manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, electrotherapy, heat and cold therapy, education and advice, and functional training. They also provide guidance on injury prevention, ergonomics, and health promotion, and may work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care for their patients.

Physiotherapists play a crucial role in helping individuals restore and maintain optimal physical function, mobility, and quality of life, and their expertise can be valuable in managing a wide range of conditions that affect the musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiovascular systems.

Exercise Vs Knee Replacement

A Short Guide to Nutrition and Exercise Therapy for the Management of Obesity in Men

Prohealth365 Physiotherapy & Nutrition aka Ms Rand Al-Najima and Dr Werd Al-Najim contributed an article to the Hospital Professional News Ireland.

What are the health benefits of high-intensity interval training?

A high intensity interval training (HIIT) is short but intensive training and is considered to be very effective and fits even the busiest schedules. During a HIIT, the person performs exercises that cause the heart rate to increase followed by a period of rest or light exercises that allow the heart rate to decrease. A single training session usually lasts 15-20 minutes.

It is important to remember that a HIIT is not suitable for everyone and beginners should always start with shorter bouts and build up their exercise slowly and gradually. Some of the health benefits of a HIIT are:

  1. It boosts metabolism.
  2. Burns energy during and after the workout.
  3. Improves muscle strength.
  4. You can do it anywhere and anytime as these sessions consist mainly of bodyweight exercises.
  5. It helps in hormonal and blood glucose regulation.
  6. Evidence-based research shows that it is an effective method to improve cardiorespiratory fitness.

Some exercises that are often performed during high-intensity interval training are jump squats, plank jacks, burpees, and mountain climbers.

Interested in reading about other topics? then please click here.

Rand Al-Najim

ProHealth365 Physiotherapy and Nutrition

Addressing the stigma faced by people living with obesity

Congratulations to our Nutritionist Dr Werd Al-Najim for winning the UCD Research Impact Case Study for her research on Obesity as part of the UCD Diabetes Complications Research Centre.

Recognising obesity as a disease, a C20 panel discussion

Obesity is recognised as a disease by the World Health Organization as well as a few countries including Japan, Portugal, Italy, and more recently Germany. However, in Ireland and many other countries, we are still behind in recognising obesity as a disease, despite of all the current knowledge around its pathophysiology.

This year, the G20, an international forum from 19 countries and the EU took place in Saudi Arabia. Prohealth365 attended part of the activities, particularly the C20 sessions and witnessed many interesting topics covered by civil society organizations.

Importantly, Prohealth365 was also able to contribute to the C20 sessions via our Nutritionist, Dr Werd Al-Najim. Werd joined a panel of obesity experts consisted of the Chair Dr Ghalia Abdeen, Prof Carel le Roux, and Dr Alex Miras. They discussed the facts behind recognising obesity as a disease and the current treatment options around the world. Moreover, they described the reality of harsh stigmas and unhealthy attitudes in obesity care. Importantly, they also discussed how obesity stigma hindered the appropriate recognition of obesity as a disease.

The consensus amongst participants is that obesity stigma requires attention within the healthcare sectors. A number of strategies can be put in place to combat obesity stigma to facilitate the recognition of obesity as a disease. For example, some of the strategies that were suggested by Dr Werd Al-Najim were as follows:

•Encourage patient-centered communications and empathy.

•Introduction of zero-tolerance policies for comments or humour against people living with obesity. 

•Increase obesity education and awareness campaigns. 

•Provide more welcoming and less threating environment to patients with obesity. 

You can have access to the full recording of the session via this link.

KAYL Association for Combating Obesity was the driver of this important session. KAYL is the first non-profitable organization in the field of obesity and are primary advocates for recognising obesity as a disease in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

Authored by Prohealth365

National Physio Fundraising Day

Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon 2020

We are in, are you? We have partnered with the Women’s Mini Marathon for a really special idea. We are offering participants of the event the opportunity to book a physio appointment with us on 17th October on book.askthephysio.ie and instead of paying us you can donate to a charity close to YOUR heart. Win, win!

We look forward to seeing you then so book your free physio appointment asap via book.askthephysio.ie

Incorporating Strength Training with Cardio

strength training combined with running
Fitness and healthy concept. Woman wearing running shoes at gym.

Bored of your usual exercise routine and want to gain the benefits of both endurance and strength training? Why don’t you give this a try:

1km run (at a challenging speed)
8reps weighted squats x3
8reps chest press x3

1km run
8 reps/leg weighted lunges x3
8reps barbell press x3

1km jog
12 reps/leg weighted step-ups x3
45sec plank x3
45 sec/side side plank x3

1km run
12reps weighted SLR
20 reps sit-ups

Finish off with another 1km jog!

Do you need professional advice on your own strength or endurance training programs? then don’t hesitate to contact by filling in this contact form, booking online or by calling us on 01 960 9934.

Rand Al-Najim, Physiotherapist & Personal Trainer

Prohealth365 Physiotherapy & Nutrition Bray