Physical Therapy for Chronic Pain: Effective Strategies for Long COVID and Beyond
Many people grapple with chronic pain, a relentless condition that affects physical health and emotional and mental well-being too. It can stem from various causes like past injuries, underlying medical conditions, or even infections. Chronic pain can manifest as a dull ache, a sharp stabbing sensation, or a burning feeling, and it can significantly impact your ability to perform daily activities and enjoy life to the fullest.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a new dimension to chronic pain: Long COVID. This condition, also known as Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), affects individuals who have recovered from the initial COVID-19 infection but continue to experience lingering symptoms, including chronic pain.
While the exact mechanisms are still being investigated, research suggests that Long COVID can trigger chronic pain through several pathways:
Inflammation
The virus can trigger persistent inflammation throughout the body, affecting muscles, joints, and nerves.
Nervous System Disruption
COVID-19 can impact the nervous system, leading to nerve damage and altered pain signaling.
Autoimmune Responses
In some cases, the virus may trigger autoimmune reactions, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, causing pain and inflammation.
Finding Relief Through Physical Therapy
Whether your chronic pain is a result of Long COVID or other causes, physical therapy can provide much-needed relief and help you regain control of your life. Here are four key ways physical therapy can help:
Pain Reduction
Through targeted exercises, joint mobilization, and manual therapy techniques, we can help reduce pain intensity and improve your body’s pain management mechanisms.
Improved Mobility and Function
Chronic pain often leads to decreased mobility and difficulty performing daily tasks. Physical therapy helps restore movement and strength, enabling you to participate in activities you enjoy.
Enhanced Strength
Chronic pain can lead to muscle weakness. Physical therapy helps rebuild strength and stamina, improving your overall physical capacity.
Education and Self-Management Strategies
Our PTs will empower you with knowledge about your condition and teach you self-management techniques to control your pain and prevent flare-ups for long-term success.
Treatment For Chronic Pain At Harter Physical Therapy
If you’re struggling with chronic pain, don’t wait any longer to reach out to us. Our experienced physical therapists are dedicated to helping you regain control of your life and achieve your optimal level of function. Whether your chronic pain stems from Long COVID or other conditions, we will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals.
Schedule an appointment today and let us help you on your way to recovery!
Game, Set, Match: Returning to Sports After Tennis Elbow
Recovering from tennis elbow requires patience and a strategic plan, especially when it comes to resuming sports. Here’s a roadmap to guide your comeback:
Phase 1
Before jumping back into your sport, ensure you’ve addressed the underlying issues with our physical therapists. This means:
Go to Pain – Not Through Pain
You should have minimal to no pain during daily activities and prescribed therapeutic strengthening exercises. Your therapist will guide you on how to identify what is safe and what is not.
Full Range of Motion
Regain full mobility in your elbow and wrist joints, and forearm muscles.
Strength
Your grip strength and forearm muscle endurance should be sufficient for basic functional tasks.
Phase 2
Start with activities that don’t increase your pain while doing them or place excessive stress on your elbow or forearm muscles. Your therapist will give clear guidance on how to gradually increase the intensity and duration as your tolerance improves.
Sport-specific Drills
Introduce light drills that mimic movements from your sport but at a lower intensity and volume. For tennis, this might involve practicing your swing without a ball or hitting soft groundstrokes.
Listen to Your Body
Pay attention to any pain or discomfort that increases while doing the activity. If your elbow starts to ache and continues to intensify, stop the activity and contact Harter Physical Therapy for the next steps.
Phase 3
As your elbow adapts, gradually increase the intensity and duration of your sports activities.
- Increase resistance
- Increase repetitions and sets
- Practice with game-like intensity
Game On!
Once you can perform at game-like intensity without pain, you’re ready to return to full participation. Returning to sports after tennis elbow requires a gradual and patient approach. We’ll create a personalized program so you can safely and successfully get back in the game.
Call today!
Exercise of the Month
Dumbbell Front Raise
(Shoulders)
Stand tall with a dumbbell in each hand, arms resting in front of your thighs and palms facing your body. Keeping your arms straight (but not locked), slowly raise both arms in front of you to shoulder height. Pause briefly, then lower back down with control.
3 Sets, 10 Reps
(Materials needed: dumbbells)
Warm Fall Harvest Sweet Potato & Black Bean Stew
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup chopped kale
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened.
- Stir in garlic, cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add cubed sweet potatoes, black beans, diced tomatoes (with juices), and vegetable broth.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender.
- Stir in the chopped kale and cook for 2-3 more minutes until wilted.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
We Have Incredible News!
We are absolutely thrilled and deeply honored to announce that Harter Physical Therapy has been named both the Best Physical Therapy Clinic in Wichita and the Best Customer Service in Wichita!
Winning these prestigious awards is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated team, but more importantly, it is a reflection of the incredible community we serve. We are profoundly grateful for your continued trust in your health and wellness journey; your support is the heartbeat of our clinic.
Thank you for making us Wichita’s top choice—we can’t wait to keep providing you with world-class care and the gold standard of service!
