All of us have all experienced physical pain at some point in our lives. The mechanism of pain tells us that something isn't right with the body. We react to get away from or avoid pain such as a pin prick or something hot. This type of pain - acute pain - is useful as it helps us to avoid further injury or alerts us to illness.

Chronic pain is a different thing. It is defined by experts as pain that does not go away or recurs frequently - even after an extended period of time. Often, typical treatments fail to provide relief.

Chronic pain can be devastating. It causes loss of productivity and can rob one of their normal enjoyable lifestyle. It typically impacts on others around the person suffering. It can bring on anxiety, frustration, fatigue, isolation and a lowered sense of self worth.

Physical Therapy can help alleviate and eliminate chronic pain without medication. Many types of chronic pain can be reduced or completely eliminated through the correct application of physical therapy.

Life is about motion and movement and the body is meant to move. A trained physical therapist can work with a patient to improve the body's ability to move. This causes muscles to come into play and increases circulation. The result is improved health.

A physical therapist can help to create a personalized strengthening and exercise plan. This can go beyond simply managing daily pain.

In order to develop a plan that effectively treats YOUR pain, a detailed physical evaluation will be done to assess your chronic pain and how it impacts on your life. Your personal treatment goals will be incorporated into any plan to help you.

Physical therapy can use both passive and active treatments. Passive treatments work to help relax your body. You don't have to actively participate in the treatment thus they are "passive". The goal is to get into active treatment which helps to strengthen your body aiding you to deal with chronic pain.

Physical therapy programs at Friendship Heights Rehab focus on improvement of muscle control and stability with the ultimate goal of returning you to your prior level of activity.

If you have any questions, please contact Therese Rodda, P.T.
Friendship Heights Rehabilitation Center
5530 Wisconsin Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Ph: 301-656-6977  F: 301-656-6977

10801 Lockwood Drive, Suite 280
Silver Spring, MD 20901
Ph: 301-576-6474

Links:
http://fhrehab.com/index.html - Friendship Heights Rehabilitation Center - Maryland Physical Therapy
http://fhrehab.com/ptServices.html - Physical Therapy Programs
http://media.fhrehab.com/tips_index.php - Friendship Heights Health Tips

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