Determining The Origins of Your Pain
Have you been struggling with pain and aren’t even sure how it started? Have you gotten advice that doesn’t seem to help your pain? Physical therapists are trained in identifying and treating the source of your pain, allowing you to shift away from using pain medication to treat the symptoms.
Different types of pain can tell you about your body and overall health. Sometimes, pain in your arm or your leg may have little to nothing to do with an actual issue in your arm or leg. Physical therapists are specialists in identifying the causes of pain.
A physical therapist knows how the body’s systems work. This understanding makes it possible to identify the potential causes of pain, even if the pain is manifesting itself in an unusual or seemingly inexplicable way.
Whether you are suffering from pain in your head, back, neck, or anywhere else in your body, working with a physical therapist can help you find the relief you are looking for.
Call ARC Physical Therapy today and set up an appointment with our highly trained physical therapists!
Understanding your pain
Sometimes pain develops at the exact moment you are doing something, and you can quickly identify the cause. A new pair of shoes may cause pain in your feet while walking, or your back starts hurting when you lift something heavy. But there are other situations in which pain develops, and the cause of the pain is unclear. No matter what the scenario is, your physical therapist can help you.
When you meet with a physical therapist to determine where your pain may be coming from, the first thing you’ll do is have a conversation about it. Your therapist will likely want to know:
- How long you’ve been experiencing your symptoms
- Where it developed and where is it currently
- What makes your pain better and what makes it worse
- Consider whether or not your pain only happens at particular times of the day or year
These distinctions can help shed some light on what may be causing your discomfort and direct the type of intervention you will need to resolve your problem. Our physical therapist will interpret what you tell them into what the body is trying to say to you!
Regardless of where your pain is, how long you’ve been dealing with it, or how intense the pain feels, the intelligent thing to do when pain develops is to speak with a physical therapist. Working with a physical therapist can help you finally get a step ahead of your pain, finding treatment options that are designed to provide you with long-term relief instead of temporary relief from medication.
How physical therapy can help you find relief
Identifying the root cause of your pain can be difficult, which makes it challenging to treat. Your therapists will determine and categorize your condition through a series of targeted questions, mobility tests, strength tests, and movement screens. This comprehensive assessment allows the therapist to establish what the likely source of your pain is and exactly how to resolve it.
Every sensation you experience is associated with different types of problems, so describing your experience of pain may help determine the best treatment methods for your body’s needs. Our therapists will focus on providing the most effective strategy for relief. This systematic approach allows the therapist also to outline your path to recovery in a predictable way.
The main emphasis of physical therapy is education about the likely source of your pain and instruction on effective techniques for relief. Our goals include:
- Reduce pain quickly through targeted movements/stretches
- Strengthening exercises to address weak muscles contributing to your pain
- Return to normal functioning in daily activities
- Education on how to avoid recurring pain (avoid painful postures and movements)
We focus on doing what helps you feel better and move better!
Call and make an appointment today
Our physical therapists use a systematic approach to pain. They will provide you with targeted exercises and techniques that promote your independence in taking care of your pain now and in the future.
Call ARC Physical Therapy today for a comprehensive assessment and learn what steps you can take to alleviate your pain and prevent further episodes!
Sources: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1475-6773.12984, https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-39982-5_17
The Perfect Desk Break Stretch
If you spend time at a computer, this stretch is for you. It helps relieve built-up tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back caused by prolonged sitting and screen time
Explore Fitness Options at The
Medical Gym at ARC!
The Medical Gym at ARC offers a variety of workshops, small group training, one-on-one sessions, and monthly membership options!
Check out our current schedule with more to come — and lots of fun!
Upcoming Workshops & Events
Building Better Balance
Saturday, March 14th — 10:30 AM
Yoga for Pelvic Floor
Saturday, March 28th — 10:30 AM
Managing Menopause
Saturday, April 25th — 10:30 AM
Women’s Beginning Strength Training
Saturday, May 30th — 10:30 AM
For more information, contact Alex Bohnstedt,
exercise physiologist, at 630-323-8646 or by
email at abohnstedt@arc-rehab.com
Go to the Pain, Not Through the Pain
Is pain affecting your life? Does it seem like everything you try doesn’t seem to help?
Too often, the frustration of dealing with daily pain leads people to ignore or try to push through their pain. It doesn’t help that the terrible slogan “no pain, no gain” has become a part of our culture in America. Learning how to navigate pain is essential to finding the relief so many people seek.
Whether you’re tired of sporadic aches and pain or struggling with chronic discomfort, physical therapy at ARC Physical Therapy plays a vital role not just in treating pain but also in teaching patients how to manage their pain effectively.
Simple Tips to Find Relief
Our team will start by explaining the type of pain the patient is experiencing—be it nociceptive, central, neuropathic, psychosocial, or movement system pain. This helps you understand the root cause of your pain, allowing for targeted treatments addressing your unique situation.
Here’s an overview of common tools we use to empower our patients:
- Pain Management Strategies: Breathing exercises and relaxation techniques can sometimes be as effective as medication in reducing pain.
- Activity Modification: Sometimes, small changes can make a big difference. By changing how they perform their daily activities, patients can reduce the risk of pain flare-ups.
- Gradual Progression of Exercise: Starting slow and building up gradually can help patients realize that movement doesn’t have to be painful, reducing fear and improving function over time.
Our physical therapists will give you the tools and knowledge you need to take an active role in your pain management, making your treatment more effective and lasting. Remember the slogan, “go to the pain, not through the pain,” to guide your progress!
Exercise of the Month
Seated Leg Extension
(Quadriceps, Knees)
Sit up straight in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Slowly extend one leg out in front of you until it’s straight, squeezing your thigh muscle. Hold briefly, then lower it back down with control. Alternate legs or complete all reps on one side before switching. 3 Sets, 10 Reps (each leg). (Materials needed: chair)
Recipe of the Month: Roasted Root Vegetable Bowls with Tahini Dressing
These veggie bowls are filled with perfectly caramelized, tender yet crisp, hearty root veggies like sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, beets, and roasted garlic, and topped with creamy tahini dressing! Make them for meal prep or an easy one-pan dinner!
Ingredients:
- 2 beets, peeled and diced
- 1-2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut on the bias
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut on the bias
- 1-2 medium turnips, peeled and diced
- 1 small yellow onion, chunked
- 1 large sweet potato, ½ inch cubed
- 1 garlic bulb
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1-2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups green kale, roughly chopped
Tahini Dressing:
- ⅓ cup tahini
- 4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1-2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2-3 teaspoons honey
- 5-6 Tablespoons cold water
Optional Toppings:
- Soft boiled or poached eggs
- Walnuts
- Rice or quinoa
- Parsley
- Chives
Instructions:
- Roast Vegetables: Preheat oven to 425°F. Prep veggies and cut them into equally sized pieces. On a sheet pan, toss beets, parsnips, carrots, turnips, onion, and sweet potato with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread in an even layer across the pan. To prevent the beets from staining the other veggies, you can roast them on their own pan.
- Garlic Bulb: Cut the top off of the garlic bulb and place it in a piece of foil. Drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt, then wrap in the foil. Place the garlic foil packet on the vegetable pan or directly on the oven rack.
- Roast vegetables for 30 minutes. Check the garlic at this point; it should be tender, and if so, remove the garlic packet from the oven and set aside. Toss the other vegetables and return to the oven to roast for an additional 10-15 minutes as needed.
- Once the veggies are fork-tender and slightly caramelized, add the chopped kale to the pan. Remove the garlic from the foil packet and squeeze the cloves onto the baking sheet as well. Toss everything together, and return to the warm oven for 1-2 minutes so the kale wilts.
- Tahini Dressing: Meanwhile, whisk together all dressing ingredients except for the water. Once they’re combined, whisk in the cold water somewhat slowly until desired creaminess level is reached. If the dressing seems to separate, continue whisking in additional cold water until it comes together. Adjust as needed to taste.
- Assemble: Assemble the bowls with roasted vegetables (on top of rice or quinoa if desired) and top with tahini dressing. Garnish with chopped walnuts, soft-boiled egg, and fresh herbs as desired.
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
Don’t let pain dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and well-being with our expert support. Start your journey to a healthier you today.
