The role of physiotherapy in the management of chronic pain

Publication date: Available online 2 July 2019Source: Anaesthesia & Intensive Care MedicineAuthor(s): Judith SemmonsAbstractThe role of physiotherapy in managing chronic pain is challenging. A multidisciplinary approach incorporating several specialities within the pain clinic is recommended. Treatment primarily focuses on the biopsychosocial model: part of the clinician's skill is to decide which part or parts of this biopsychosocial model influence the patient's pain. Key physiotherapy treatments are described: education, patient empowerment and promoting exercise and function. Patients often fear exercise as without appropriate guidance their pain tends to increase so they believe it may be harmful. Patients are advised not to push through pain which may cause ‘wind up’ and increased pain. Phased activities and goal setting are discussed. More specific or individual treatments are described such as cognitive functional therapy, desensitization and mirror therapy.
Source: Anaesthesia and intensive care medicine - Category: Anesthesiology Source Type: research