Physiotherapy as an Alternative to Drugs in Pain Management

Introduction

Pain is a primary concern among people. People might feel intaking pharmacological drugs might leave them distressed, leading to adverse effects. So, they prefer alternative ways where physiotherapy is a safe, effective, and natural alternative to treat various conditions providing restoration and rehabilitation. So, the personalized approach in physiotherapy paves the way for pain relief and improvement over the function of affected parts.

What Are the Common Types of Pain?

Pain is of generally two types, namely acute and chronic.

1. Acute Pain: The pain occurs abruptly and quickly heals with limited treatment. The person presents mild discomfort, which eventually subsides with the healing.

2. Chronic Pain: Chronic pain is a persistent, recurrent, and complex form of pain leading to significant limitations. The wide range of conditions associating with chronic pain is as below.

• Degenerative joint conditions.

• Overuse or chronic injuries.

• Chronic pain syndromes like fibromyalgia.

• Constant and inconsistent use of the body parts.

• Internal scar tissue formation.

• Muscle weakness and muscle spasms.

How Does Physiotherapy Help Pain Relief?

Physiotherapy is a hands-on approach that is well-designed to eliminate the cause of any condition. Identifying the root cause and working on that provides relief, enhancing independence and quality of life. So, physiotherapy addresses the root cause of pain, including the issues concerning muscle, connective tissue, joints, bone, nerves, and the system. Therefore, it deals with the source to relieve the pain.

Aims of Physiotherapy in Pain Relief:

• The primary principle is to enhance pain relief.

• Initial rehabilitation concentrates on alleviating pain and preventing the recurrence of pain.

• The intervention should address the contracture, weaknesses, motor control abilities, and other concerns in cases of underlying illnesses.

• The actual goal of rehabilitation should meet the patient’s desires, goals, beliefs, considerations, and expected outcomes.

• Physiotherapy treatment should advance a patient-centered approach to ensure the involvement of patients intending to bring forward the desired relief and recovery.

• To bring out effective outcomes as opioids and painkillers do.

What Are the Physiotherapy Techniques for Pain Management?

Physiotherapy is a non-invasive approach comprising manual therapy and massages to address and alleviate the issue. The physiotherapist guides the person with a tailored plan, goals, and desired outcomes based on individuality. The physiotherapeutic approach to pain management incorporates a variety of techniques.

1. Electrical Muscle Stimulation: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a technique in which a low-voltage electrical current is applied right through the intact surface of the skin where the nerve pathways flow. It contains electrodes as in the way of an electric circuit. The TENS for pain relief operates in the following ways.

• Blocking the Pain Signals: The TENS stimulates the concerned nerve contributing to pain while applying the electric current. The underlying stimulated nerve straightly sends the signals to the allied parts of the brain and spinal cord. This results in the reduction of pain.

• Production of the Body’s Opioids: In other ways, the stimulation through electric impulses stimulates endorphin production in the human body. As endorphins (natural painkillers) are hormones that relieve pain and stress, one could attain overall pain relief.

2. Deep Tissue Massages: Deep tissue massages are employed in pain cases with musculoskeletal issues like injury, spasms, and strains. Here, the physiotherapist applies gradual pressure by deeper strokes targeting the inner aspects of the muscles and connective tissues. In addition to pain relief, it enhances wound healing and joint stiffness. The person is asked to lie on the back, and the physiotherapists use their hands, fingers, palm, or a combination of them for massaging on a wide range of pressures according to the affected and targeted areas. However, initially, the therapist commences with a lighter pressure to warm up the muscles. The efficacy of pain relief is apparent through several sessions.

3. Ultrasound Therapy: Ultrasound is meant for ultrasound waves. So, the physiotherapeutic approach utilizes ultrasound waves to treat pain. The ultrasound waves used are usually above the range a human could hear. Here it involves the metallic probe yet the gel for appropriate penetration of waves into the skin. After the gel application on either the skin or the probe of the equipment, the therapist draws the probe over the targeted aspects of the skin but for a limited time based on the severity of the pain. The intensity is adjusted in a way that the desired relief. As a result, the person feels warmth or mild pulsation during the therapy. The heating and relaxing of the muscles culminate in pain relief. It also possesses benefits like muscle relaxation and enhancement of blood flow in parallel with pain alleviation.

4. Heat Therapy: Heat therapy is done utilizing heating pads, heat cream, heat bags, heat lamps, hot water bottles, or hot clothes. A gentle heat warmth is typically required, not heat, as it would contribute to irritation and burns. In addition, heat therapy causes the blood vessels to dilate (open), thus increasing blood circulation and thus promotes healing in the damaged tissues. So, the direct soothing effect attains overall pain relief.

5. Ice Therapy: Ice application is a traditional way of therapy for injuries and swelling. However, the studies addressing pain management with ice application are limited, and the efficacy needs to be proven as possible as the pain medications.

6. Exercises: Subsequently, the therapist recommends exercises and activities to treat the root cause and thus for the prevention of recurrence.

• Strengthening exercises for repair and rehabilitation.

• Flexibility exercises for balance, posture, and gait.

• Stretches.

• Cycling.

• Walking.

• Swimming.

Conclusion:

The physiotherapeutic approach can be an effective and beneficial alternative to conventional pain management methods. Physiotherapy addresses and treats the underlying causes of pain by improving functions. So, physiotherapists contribute a variety of techniques such as therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, electrical stimulation, education, and heat therapy to alleviate pain with promoting healing. In addition, they can help people develop flexibility, strength, and appropriate body functioning. As a result, physiotherapy technique help reduce pain and enhance overall well-being.