Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in Athletes: Strategies for Management with Physical Therapy

A person on a track kneeling and holding their leg in pain in Bethesda.

For athletes, injuries are inherent. One challenging, though rare, condition that can affect athletes is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). CRPS is a disorder marked by chronic pain that is disproportional to the initial injury and projected healing timeframes. Athletes with CRPS are typically frustrated by their inability to return to sport. Often, the affected region is swollen, discolored, and hypersensitive beyond the expected recovery time. In the realm of sports injury physical therapy, addressing CRPS requires a specialized and comprehensive approach.

That’s where our physical therapists at Bethesda Physiocare come into play. Our team is well-versed in sports-related injuries and CRPS. The combination is unique as many clinics specialize in one or the other. We have worked with world-class athletes in professional sports teams and special forces in the United States military, and now we can help you. Contact us online or call (301) 656-5613 to learn more.

Understanding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

CRPS is a neurovascular disorder characterized by severe and chronic pain, often accompanied by changes in skin color, temperature, and swelling. For athletes, CRPS can be particularly daunting, threatening not only their physical abilities but their mental resilience as well. Sports injury physical therapy in Bethesda has emerged as a crucial component in the multidisciplinary approach to CRPS management.

Targeted Pain Management Techniques

Sports injury physical therapists employ targeted pain management techniques to alleviate the chronic discomfort associated with CRPS. Modalities such as dry needling, pain neuroscience techniques, and manual therapy are integrated into the treatment plan, aiming to reduce pain and improve the athlete’s overall comfort.

Gradual and Customized Exercise Programs

Recovery from CRPS demands a careful and gradual approach to exercise. Sports injury physical therapists create customized exercise programs that consider the specific needs and limitations of those dealing with CRPS. These programs can focus on improving joint mobility, muscle strength, and endurance, as well as overall function, while minimizing the risk of exacerbating symptoms. We incorporate our state-of-the-art technology, including the Proteus and Trazer, to gradually reintroduce sport-specific movements.

Desensitization Techniques

CRPS often leads to heightened sensitivity in the affected areas. Sports injury physical therapy includes desensitization techniques to gradually reintroduce touch and pressure, helping athletes regain tolerance and reduce hypersensitivity. Early stages of recovery incorporate mirror therapy and virtual reality to help remap areas of the brain that are stuck in hypersensitized states.

Pain Neuroscience Education

One of the critical components of successful physical therapy is education. Education is a powerful tool that can provide athletes with a deeper understanding of their condition, empowering them to actively participate in their recovery. This can include guidance on cortical remapping, graded exposure, graded activity, and eventual return to sport.

World-renowned Sports Injury Physical Therapy in Bethesda

At Bethesda Physiocare, we believe in providing our patients with individualized, one-on-one care so they can see the results they dream of. We believe sports injury physical therapy doesn’t only mean treating pain; it means providing our patients with the proper education, pain management, and training. If you’re looking to find relief from your sports-related injury, look no further than our skilled physical therapists. Contact us online or call (301) 656-5613 to get started today!

Understanding Chronic Pain: A Guide for Patients Exploring Physical Therapy

A man in a grey shirt gripping his neck in pain in Bethesda.

Chronic pain is a complex and challenging condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It’s characterized by persistent discomfort that can significantly impact one’s quality of life. While the causes of chronic pain are diverse, recent advancements in physical therapy have provided fresh insights into its treatment. We’ll explore some of the most up-to-date, evidence-based approaches to managing chronic pain effectively. Contact us online or call (301) 656-5613 to learn more about our services.

Multidisciplinary Pain Management

To address chronic pain comprehensively, a multidisciplinary approach is crucial. Physical therapists often collaborate with pain management specialists, psychologists, and other healthcare providers to create tailored treatment plans. This team-based approach ensures a holistic strategy for addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of chronic pain.

Graded Exercise Therapy

For many chronic pain conditions, exercise is a powerful tool. Graded Exercise Therapy involves a carefully planned and individualized exercise program that gradually increases in intensity. It helps patients build strength and endurance while minimizing the risk of exacerbating their pain. This evidence-based approach is particularly useful for conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic low back pain.

Manual Therapy Techniques & Dry Needling

Physical therapists use various manual therapy techniques, such as joint mobilization and soft tissue manipulation, and dry needling, to alleviate pain and improve mobility. These hands-on approaches can help reduce muscle tension, improve joint function, and improve local blood flow, all of which contribute to decreased peripheral and central sensitization.

Pain Education

Understanding pain is a crucial aspect of its management. Many individuals with chronic pain benefit from education about the complex mechanisms of pain and how it affects their bodies. Pain education can help reduce fear and anxiety, leading to more effective pain management strategies. Our therapists are experts at using patient-friendly education techniques to decrease fear and anxiety associated with physical therapy and chronic pain.

Technology-Assisted Therapies

Recent advancements in technology have opened new doors for chronic pain management. Virtual reality, biofeedback, and wearable devices can be integrated into physical therapy to monitor progress, provide distraction from pain, and enhance treatment outcomes.

Individualized Treatment Plans

Each person’s experience of chronic pain is unique. Evidence-based treatment for chronic pain recognizes this diversity and emphasizes the importance of creating individualized treatment plans. A tailored approach ensures that the therapy addresses the specific needs and goals of the patient.

Chronic Pain Management

Chronic pain can be a challenging and frustrating condition, but with the latest evidence-based approaches in physical therapy, there is hope for effective pain management. A multidisciplinary approach, graded exercise therapy, manual techniques, pain education, mind-body practices, and technology-assisted therapies are all vital components in the modern toolkit for chronic pain management. The key is to work closely with healthcare professionals to design a personalized treatment plan that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of chronic pain, ultimately helping patients regain their quality of life and manage their pain effectively. Call (301) 656-5613 today.

Patient Empowerment: How Physical Therapy Enables Individuals to Take Control of Chronic Pain

A man sitting on the edge of a bed holding his lower back in pain in Bethesda.

Living with chronic pain can be debilitating. Luckily, with the right chronic pain treatment plan, patients can feel empowered and begin the road to a more comfortable life.

At Bethesda Physiocare, we have helped numerous patients with chronic pain who have lost hope in recovery. Rather than improving, many patients are further spiraling into pain, decreased function, and frustration. Often time, these patients have seen many physical therapists and healthcare providers with limited success. This includes patients with complex pain from Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, Orofacial Pain, and Chronic Pelvic Pain. If you’re experiencing chronic pain, take control by contacting us online or calling (301) 656-5613 today!

The Impact of Living with Chronic Pain

Chronic pain, a condition in which a patient experiences pain for three months or longer even after the initial cause has healed, creates a negative snowball effect leading to a decline in a patient’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. This includes interference in daily activities, sleep patterns, work productivity, and social interactions. All of which can contribute to feelings of frustration, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. For some patients it can seem like a never ending cycle of pain and injury that they are unable to get out of. We specialize in helping those patients find a plan to get out of their chronic pain cycle.

How Physical Therapy Helps Patients Feel Empowered

A large focus of physical therapy is to promote improvements in their capacity and tolerance to activity, which in turn encourages healthier thought patterns, limiting those negative feelings mentioned previously. While physical therapy can’t always cure chronic pain, it will give patients the tools and resources they need to live a healthy, fulfilling life with less pain.

Pain Management Techniques

Physical therapy plays a vital role in chronic pain treatment by providing effective pain management techniques. Skilled physical therapists employ a variety of strategies, such as manual therapy, dry needling, functional training, and more. These techniques can help patients gain better control over their pain, improving morale and overall well-being. This, in turn, may allow for more engagement with exercise and strength training. Many of our patients don’t see success with traditional physical therapy until their pain is addressed. Our clinic addresses the underlying issues that may be preventing patients form making progress with strength and range of motion exercises.

Increased Mobility and Function

Chronic pain often restricts an individual’s range of motion and physical abilities. Physical therapy focuses on restoring and improving mobility, strength, and flexibility through targeted exercises and therapeutic interventions. By gradually increasing mobility and function, physical therapy enables individuals to regain control and confidence over their bodies.

Education and Self-Management

One of the most important steps to chronic pain treatment, and any physical therapy treatment, is education. Without understanding how the body works and functions, patients can’t identify potential triggers or how a certain movement or activity can impact them. The power of education and self-management gives patients the tools and resources they need to better themselves. A Bethesda physical therapist will educate patients on the neuroscience behind pain and how it can be used for recovery. We do this through patient-friendly educational materials as well as interactive externally-focused exergaming and virtual reality.

Chronic Pain Treatments

While every case is different, some common methods you can find in chronic pain treatment involve the following:

Exercise Therapy: A customized exercise program can be designed to address specific pain areas and improve strength, flexibility, and endurance.

Manual Therapy: A form of therapy used to manipulate soft tissues and joints to reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore regular function.

Dry Needling: This technique utilizes thin needles inserted into or near trigger points to stimulate muscles, resulting in pain relief and improved range of motion.

Functional Training: Works to restore strength and proper function of the musculoskeletal system with the goal of making it easier to perform everyday activities within patients.

Less Pain, More Empowerment With Bethesda’s Chronic Pain Treatments

If you’re living with chronic pain in the Bethesda region, work with one of our expert physical therapists to find the right chronic pain treatment plan for you. Contact us online or call (301) 656-5613 to learn more today!

Do You Feel Let Down by Your Physical Therapist?

A physical therapist helping a patient lift an orange weight in Bethesda.

Are you beginning to feel disappointed or even frustrated with your physical therapist? Are you not getting the results, or the care, that you were expecting? Then it might be time to switch therapists to someone who can help you with your chronic pain management.

Bethesda Physiocare, located in Bethesda, is the area’s leading physical therapy clinic. We provide various services for chronic pain management and can make sure you’re properly taken care of. If you’re interested in hearing what we can offer, give our clinic a call at (301) 656-5613 or contact us online today.

Signs It’s Time to Move On

When you go to physical therapy, you expect to be cared for by a compassionate professional who will assist you with your personalized goals. When you don’t get the treatment you deserve, it can be frustrating and in some cases delay progress. Research has shown that therapeutic alliance between a patient and their Bethesda physical therapist is the most important variable for predicting positive outcomes. Therefore, it is important for patients to have a strong rapport with their treating therapist. Signs of a poor therapeutic alliance may include any of the following:

They Treat You Like You’re Just Another Job Task- When your therapist considers you as another slot on their schedule and not an actual patient. If it also seems like they care more about your insurance and how you’re paying rather than how you would like to manage your chronic pain, then it might be time to switch.

You Do Not See Any Progress- Although progress is not always linear, there should be realistic goals and milestones set between the patient and physical therapist. Both short-term and long-term markers of progress are important components of chronic pain management.

They Won’t Change the Treatment- If you’re not seeing progress, your therapist should adjust the treatment plan. If they continue doing the same non-progressive treatments, then they’re doing a disservice to you.

Doesn’t Listen to Your Questions or Concerns- Your therapist needs to be on the same page as you when it comes to your concerns and end goal. If they keep pushing you off and only do the treatments they feel are necessary, then they’re not in it to truly help you.

They’re Not Focused on Your Goal- Not only is PT supposed to help you alleviate your chronic pain, but it’s also supposed to help you get back to where you were before. Your therapist needs to help you through your pain and help you get back to doing the things you love.

They Only Use Passive Treatments- If your chronic pain management only consists of ice, heat, stim, or traction, then your physical therapist is not doing all that they can to help you.

They Pass You Around to Other Staff Members- Unfortunately, a common occurrence in some practices is that therapists will schedule clients every 10-15 minutes. Because of this, your therapist only spends a few minutes with you rather than the 45-60 minutes they should be spending with you.

A Therapy Clinic That Works With You

Bethesda Physiocare, located in Bethesda, MD, offers a wide range of services, including chronic pain management, dry needling, fascial therapy, and therapeutics, amongst many more. To schedule an appointment with one of our compassionate and goal-driven therapists, give us a call or contact us online today.

When You Should Try Physical Therapy Before Surgery

A physical therapist assisting a man lifting orange weights in Bethesda.

Many patients will partake in physical therapy following surgery to help strengthen their muscles and improve mobility. However, there are a number of benefits to trying physical therapy prior to surgery—including preventing you from an unnecessary invasive procedure.

At Bethesda Physiocare, we help patients manage their chronic pain through physical therapy and education. Our goal is always to give you individualized, one-on-one care so you can return to a quality lifestyle. Contact us online or call (301) 656-5613 to begin your journey to better health.

Surgery or Physical Therapy

While surgery has its benefits, depending on the severity of a patient’s condition, it may not always be necessary—or at least, it doesn’t have to be the first and only option. For orthopedic conditions such as spinal surgeries for back pain, meniscus repair, and common hip surgeries, physical therapy is a good first line of defense for pain relief.

While physical therapy requires patience and time, the wait may be worth it, as surgery may not always get the long-lasting results you expect. Through physical therapy, your therapist will work with you so you can properly understand your condition and pain triggers and utilize at-home exercises and stretches that help manage chronic pain whenever you need it.

Benefits of Prehabilitation

Through prehabilitation, the process in which you engage in physical therapy prior to surgery, you’re able to strengthen the targeted muscle or area. The benefit of this is simple: the stronger you go into surgery, the stronger you’ll exit. By partnering with a physical therapist, you’ll get a tailored program that suits your condition and pain levels to slowly but surely build up your tolerance. However, other benefits can include:

Shorten Hospitalize Time

According to a study from the National Library of Medicine, 37% of patients who participated in pre-op physical therapy showed a decrease in hospitalization, often leaving inpatient care on day 1—saving you both time and money.

Reduced Recovery Time

With the practice of manual therapy, strengthening exercises, and a focus on balance and coordination, physical therapy can offer patients the tools they need to prevent further injury, like falling, after an operation. Similarly, physical therapy helps improve circulation and relieve tension in the muscles, allowing muscles to heal much faster.

Chronic Pain Management

With many orthopedic conditions comes chronic pain. Chronic pain can be described as consistent pain lasting more than three months and not responding to treatment. This can include common conditions like arthritis, lower back pain, or joint pain. Physical therapy can help with chronic pain management in just two phases.

Phase 1: focus on reducing pain through methods like manual therapy, dry needling, posture training, functional training, and education.

Phase 2: focus on graded exposure to desired lifestyle activities through progressive loading and strengthening.

Schedule Your Prehabilitation Physical Therapy Session Today!

If you are experiencing a common orthopedic condition, try physical therapy first. At Bethesda Physiocare, we pride ourselves on providing individualized care. Contact one of our highly-reviewed physical therapists online or call (301) 656-5613 to schedule an appointment today.