Chronic Pain Management in Bethesda
Treatment of Persistent Pain
Our clinic is uniquely able to help patients manage chronic pain. The key difference is simple. Our therapists take the time to listen. By taking a detailed history during a one-on-one treatment session, our therapist can identify key components to address underlying issues of chronic pain.
Many of our patients have been misdiagnosed, and their care has been mismanaged. Our clinicians think outside the box to deliver the most appropriate and effective treatment strategies. For instance, did you know that in many cases of chronic pain, the area of pain is typically not where it may have started? This phenomenon is called referred pain and is often missed by therapists in traditional settings that utilize techs/aides or shorter treatment sessions.
Bethesda Physiocare® provides high-quality chronic pain treatment that is leading the chronic pain industry today, so schedule a one-on-one consultation to get the solution you need.
Don’t wait to get and feel better. Call our physical therapy clinic in Bethesda at (301) 656-5613 to discuss ways you can receive chronic pain treatment.
World-Class Chronic Pain Management Services Available
Very few physical therapy training programs include courses in chronic pain treatment or even the neurophysiologic mechanisms of persistent pain. It should then come as no surprise that many physical therapists lack up-to-date knowledge of pain management principles and may not be interested in rehabilitating persistent pain conditions.
Fortunately, a growing number of physical therapists with advanced knowledge of chronic pain management principles, like our highly skilled experts at Bethesda Physiocare®, can provide unique solutions for untreated chronic complications.
Understanding Our Patients with Chronic Pain
When you arrive for your first appointment, our PTs will thoroughly evaluate your pain and potential causes. Our physical therapy clinic in Bethesda collaborates with each member (and sometimes outside experts) in discussing your medical history to reach the best conclusion about your pain. That way, we can create a plan best suited to your needs for recovery.
The first priority is to rule out any signs of serious pathology or structural abnormalities that could be contributing to your pain. By taking the time to listen, in several cases our therapists have been able to assist patients receive a proper diagnosis allowing for appropriate, and in some cases, life-saving intervention. Just recently we’ve referred patients to the necessary medical providers to confirm a diagnosis of:
Rare cancer affecting peripheral nerves
Cervical Myelopathy
Cervical Instability in a patient with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
Endometriosis
Tethered Cord Syndrome in a patient with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)
The Bethesda Physiocare Difference
After serious pathology has been ruled out, the next step is develop and implement an effective treatment plan. Our clinicians will perform a detailed physical evaluation of potential contributors to pain including muscles, joints, neurovascular structures, viscera, and the fascia than interconnects them all. Many times our therapists are the first to “locate” the patients pain by performing a thorough assessment.
The next step is to figure out an appropriate treatment plan to address the underlying contributors to the patient’s pain. This can include addressing impairments in strength, coordination, range of motion and/or tolerance to movement. One hallmark characteristic of patients with chronic pain is the presence of central and peripheral sensitization. These are clinical terms to describe altered neural processing of receptors in the body (peripheral) as well as the brain and spinal cord (central). Sensitization can be reduced and improved using the following physical therapy techniques:
- Dry Needling: Research has demonstrated dry needling can reduce local neuropeptides and cytokines that effect receptors that contribute to local and referred pain.
- Fascial Manipulation & Manual Therapy: Fascia is dense with receptors that can contribute to sensitization and pain in and around soft tissues. May patients with Fibromyalgia have components of myofascial pain that greatly influence their symptoms of chronic pain.
- Graded Exposure to Exercise & Activity: Gradual exposure to painful movements and stimuli has been shown to reduce levels of sensitization and alter pain processing in the brain. The key is working with a trained physical therapist who can help adjust the level of exposure based on sensitivity and diagnosis.
- Externally-Focused Exergaming: Using virtual reality and externally focused exercise has been shown to be a more effective strategy for exercising for those with chronic pain.
- Education and Activity Guidance: Many of our patients have been told incorrect and outdated advice regarding movement/exercise and pain. Often, we can help patients improve their symptoms with simple and practical advice.
Patient Focused Care!
Once a treatment plan has been introduced, the final step is monitoring progress and adjusting care as needed. Feedback from the patient is essential to providing effective care. Your therapist will address any concerns and modify the treatment approach as needed. It is common that as a patient improves, exercise programs and treatment strategies will be adjusted to reach new milestones and goals. On the flip side, when a patient is not seeing progress, your therapist will work with you to determine the reason. Sometimes this can be an essential part of the process to determine the biggest drivers of the patients symptoms. You can guarantee at Bethesda Physiocare, our therapists will be working just as hard as you to address your chronic pain!
