Chronic Pain
Chronic Pain
I am so thankful a friend referred me to Susan! I have had ongoing issues with different joints and muscles due to a lifetime of sports and endurance activities. Previously I’ve tried acupuncture, massage and chiropractic care. Those helped, but really only treated the symptoms and the issues kept returning. Susan’s whole body approach appeals to me and my body certainly has responded! I feel as if the root cause of my symptoms is being addressed and my body is healing. Would definitely recommend!
Amy H.WHAT IS CHRONIC PAIN?
- Pain, lasting more than 3 months after an injury heals.
- Continued pain despite medication and treatment
WHAT TYPES OF SITUATIONS CAN LEAD TO CHRONIC PAIN?
- Injury
- Surgery
- Overuse
- Infection
- Everyday wear and tear
- Muscle imbalance
- Disease
WHAT TISSUES CAN THIS “HOLDING PATTERN” AFFECT?
- Ligaments
- Joint capsules
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Fascia
- Internal organs
HOW DOES PAIN BECOME CHRONIC?
- Broken or disrupted tissue from any situation listed above requires healing.
- Damaged tissue in your body has the potential of changing the uniformity of the structure it affects as it heals with less elastic scar tissue.
- Each area of damage pulls inward, forming a “holding pattern” around the damage to protect it.
- One major injury can cause damage to multiple areas of your body.
- Diseased tissue can affect multiple areas of your body, as well.
- Overuse, infections, wear and tear each add to the number of damages to your body -minor to extensive
- Adding it up, that’s a lot of areas of tugging. (Your body is having a tug-of-war…and you lose.)
- Your body works hard to maintain balance.
- Because one or more areas of damaged tissues are pulled into a “holding pattern”, your body must compensate.
- This may cause you to move differently in your arms and legs, and your spine and pelvis.
- Some areas must overwork while other areas do not work enough, causing muscle imbalances.
- Chronic pain may also be perpetuated by the positioning of your body.
- Posture
- Movement patterns – how the body functions at the automatic level
- Body mechanics – deliberate movement, including pushing, pulling, lifting, reaching.
HOW CAN BALTIMORE HOLISTIC PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP?
Body off balance from a “tug-of-war”.
Prior to finding relief from Baltimore Holistic Physical Therapy, many patients had tried medication, traditional physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, and maybe even surgery, only to find temporary relief, or none at all.
it’s time for a different approach to manage your chronic pain! Your body is all connected! Pain and/or restriction in one area affects much more than just that one area. That is why at Baltimore Holistic Physical Therapy, your whole body is evaluated and treated together. Rest assured that treatment which did not work in the past will not be repeated.
You will receive a thorough assessment, considering all of your current areas of pain and dysfunction. To understand just how your body got to this point, a history of past injuries, illnesses and surgeries will be analyzed. Flexibility, strength, posture and movement patterns will also be assessed. Goals will be established based on your priorities and an individualized treatment plan developed to achieve your goals.
Taking a whole-body approach helps identify and get to the root of the problems. Through the use of an integrated approach of manual therapies, postural modifications and specific exercises, a more comfortable life is on the way.
Finally, teaching you how to avoid future problems, very specific to your needs, will be addressed accordingly. This holistic approach is designed for you to minimize your time spent in the physical therapy office and maximize your quality of life as quickly as possible.
What Our Patients Have To Say
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A: Firstly, I don’t believe in doing what didn’t work before. Many physical therapy practices approach a problem by going to the painful region. Oftentimes, this is a very temporary fix. By taking a holistic, hands-on approach, I understand that your pain may be coming from another part of the body, or even have multiple sources, including posture. By individualizing your treatment, I concentrate on healing and re-balancing the body, to manage your pain and lessen the chance of it returning. Then, I teach you how to manage your posture and movement.
A: Treatments for headaches or other pain from a recent problem will generally benefit from 2 treatment sessions for the first 2 weeks, then 1 session per week. Older conditions will benefit from 2 treatment sessions for the first week and then 1 session per week. Wellness sessions to rebalance and optimize the body for healthy aging range from a single session every month to once every six months and will be recommended on an individual basis.
A: An initial evaluation will take 1 hour. (Scar adhesion or sinus treatments only require 45 minutes.) Most follow-up treatments will be done in 30 minute sessions; multiple body areas may require 45 minutes
A: Any heavy exercise or recreational program should be done prior to the physical therapy or wellness session and then not for 24 hours after, in order for the body to adjust itself to the changes in muscle balance.
A: I will teach you techniques to perform on yourself if there is a flare-up and instruct you on proper body mechanics and ergonomics.
A: It is a facial aesthetics program of wrinkle reduction and facial rejuvenation using hands-on physical therapy and osteopathic techniques which may reduce the signs of aging in the face and neck. A FREE HEALTHY AGING CONSULTATION is available. See Refacée®
A: Wellness programs for healthy aging are not covered by most insurances, but may be reimbursable through a Healthcare Savings Account (HSA). A written bill and receipt will be provided upon your request. Although I do not participate in or bill insurance directly, I will provide a bill for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement, upon request. As there are many types of insurance plans with each provider, it is your responsibility to understand the terms of your insurance. *Those with Medicare Part B insurance from CMS will only be allowed to be part of the Healthy Aging program, NOT for physical therapy treatment. Please see Payment Terms and Policies.
A: Appointments may be made in the following ways: Please call 410-665-3223 Email: Dr.Susan@baltimoreholisticpt.com
