There is nothing more frustrating than chronic pain. While acute pain is difficult enough, we understand that chronic pain is a different problem altogether, and it can devastate your life. Out of necessity, people with chronic pain and Fibromyalgia usually limit activity and adopt abnormal postures and walking behaviors that can decondition their bodies. This can result in muscle and soft tissue pain and spasms, which in turn can mask the underlying problem and complicate the treatment. It can also lead to other health risks, increased pain, and often depression.

At Progressive Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, our therapists have the experience and advanced training to handle your chronic pain or Fibromyalgia. We’ll help increase flexibility, enhance strength and endurance and improve balance and coordination.

We take a personalized approach to your condition, from customized proven therapies and exercises, to assessing your daily routine and restoring your ability to function. Plus, we’ll give you the information you need about myths, psychological factors, and how to make wise choices to protect your body…and keep yourself feeling your best. All of which help you go about living your life!

Your physical therapist at Progressive Physical Therapy will work with you to educate you on chronic pain, find solutions to improve your quality of life, and get you moving again! He or she will help you improve movement, teach you pain management strategies, and, in many cases, reduce your pain.

Not all chronic pain is the same. Your therapist will evaluate your clinical examination and test results and design an individualized treatment plan that fits you best.

Physical therapy treatments may include:

Education to improve your knowledge and understanding of chronic pain — how it occurs, and what you can do about it. Your therapist will teach you how to manage your pain and help you work toward performing your normal daily activities again.

Strengthening and flexibility exercises to help you move more easily with less discomfort. Your therapist will design a program of graded exercises for you — movements that are gradually increased according to your abilities. Graded exercises help you improve your coordination and movement, reducing the stress and strain on your body, and decreasing your pain. Carefully introducing a graded exercise program will help train your brain to sense the problem area in your body without increasing its danger messages.

Manual therapy, which consists of specific, gentle, hands-on techniques that may be used to manipulate or mobilize tight joint structures and soft tissues. Manual therapy is used to increase movement (range of motion), improve the quality of the tissues, and reduce pain.

Posture awareness and body mechanics instruction to help improve your posture and movement. This training helps you use your body more efficiently while performing activities and even when you are resting. Your therapist will help you adjust your movement at work, or when performing chores or recreational activities, to reduce your pain and increase your ability to function.

The use of ice, heat, or electrical stimulation has not been found to be helpful with chronic pain. Your physical therapist, however, will determine if any of these treatments could benefit your unique condition.