Pain

About Pain Treatment

Physical and occupational therapy are often one of the best choices you can make for treating pain.  Therapy can make you stronger and help you move and feel better without the side effects of medications.  There are many types and causes of pain and here are some that Therapy Achievements specialize in:

 

 

Leg & Foot Pain

Being able to walk, run, stand and sit depends on good function in our hips, knees and feet.  The hip is responsible for both mobility and stability in weight bearing while movement at the knee joint is foundational to mobility.  The primary function of the foot and ankle, besides locomotion, is shock absorption. Muscle imbalances, tightness in musculature around the knee, weakness in the hip, or problems in the foot can all increase one’s likelihood for injury or pain in these joints. And it can even cause low back pain.  Common hip, knee and foot conditions that we treat include:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Hip or Knee replacement
  • Tear to Labrum or Meniscus
  • Tendonitis – Patellar, Achilles, Shin Splints
  • Strain or Sprain – Hamstring, Ligaments
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Fractures and Stress Fractures

 

The Cold Laser is one of the modalities we use to treat pain.

 

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can feel like pins and needles, numbness, and can cause serious pain.  It is a result of damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves) and can also cause weakness or paralysis.  Neuropathy can result from nerve compression from trauma, surgery, or impingement syndromes.  It can be a side effect of diabetes or a viral infection.  Or it can occur for no obvious reason at all!

Arm & Hand Pain

Because almost everything we do requires reaching, grasping and manipulating objects, pain in the shoulder, elbow or hand can cause significant difficulty getting through your day.  Some of the common arm and hand problems we see include:

  • Arthritis, Fractures, Nerve Entrapment, Tendonitis
  • Shoulder:  Rotator cuff tear, Frozen shoulder, Bursitis, Impingement
  • Elbow:  Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
  • Hand:  Trigger Finger, Carpal Tunnel, Hand Surgeries

Soft Tissue & Scar Pain

Soft tissues and scars can be highly sensitive areas to treat. Theraputic mobilization of these tissues can improve their flexibility, reducing the painful impact that typical movement can have on these sensitive areas. Therapists may use manual massage, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), cold laser, cupping, or other theraputic techniques to reduce pain.  

Spine Pain

Back pain is the second leading cause of disability and the most common reason people seek physical therapy.  Over 90% of the population experiences spine pain at some point in their lifetime. The spine functions to absorb shock, maintain balance and promote movement all while protecting the spinal cord.  So it is important to correct the source of spine pain and keep the back health instead of suffering with pain.  Spine issues we treat include:

  • Low Back
  • Neck

Phantom Pain

Phantom pain is the sensation of pain that seems to come from a limb or body part that has been amputated. It may feel like burning, stabbing, shooting, cramping, aching, throbbing, or even like pins and needles. Although the limb is no longer present, the pain is very real. Phantom pain occurs because the brain and nervous system continue to send and receive signals as they adapt to the loss of the limb. It is a type of nerve-related pain that can begin soon after an amputation or develop months later. Phantom pain can range from mild and occasional to severe and persistent, but a combination of rehabilitation, medications, desensitization techniques, mirror therapy, and other specialized treatments can often help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

Therapy can help with both chronic pain (pain lasting 3 or more months), as well as acute or injury related pain.  Therapy is available at our clinics in Huntsville, AL and Decatur, AL and our multi-disciplinary team approach to treating balance and vestibular ensures a comprehensive program that will address all aspects of your pain:

 

Physical Therapy for Pain  

Physical therapy utilizes modalities, such as ultrasound, cold laser, and electrical stimulation to reduce pain. Physical therapy also provides soft tissue mobilization to improve tissue flexibility, postural training and exercises, and therapeutic stretches to decrease pain.

 

Occupational Therapy for Pain

Occupational therapy utilizes modalities, such as ultrasound, cold laser, and electrical stimulation to reduce pain. Occupational therapy also provides soft tissue mobilization to improve tissue flexibility and therapeutic stretches to decrease pain. In addition, they provide training in mindfulness techniques, ergonomics, and adaptive equipment to reduce stress on joints for pain management.

 

Speech Therapy for Pain 

Speech therapy uses cognitive strategies to manage pain. Speech therapy also provides patients who have oral weakness or tightness with stretches, exercises and sensory stimulation to help alleviate pain.

 

Pain Support Group

Therapy Achievements understands that peer support provides a benefit that extends beyond what therapy can provide.  To that end, Therapy Achievements partners with the Huntsville Fibromyalgia Support Group to enable support group meetings in Huntsville.  The group meets the 4th Monday of even months and details can be found on our events calendar.