Chronic pain affects up to 28% of American adults each year and is one of the most common reasons adults seek medical care. Chronic pain develops when the nerves that communicate pain to the brain become hypersensitive, causing the brain to perceive that area of the body as a potential threat and therefore painful beyond the normal healing timeframe. Exercise is an effective way to manage chronic pain by building muscle strength, reducing pain sensitivity, and improving mobility through targeted strengthening, low-impact aerobic exercise, stretching, and aquatic therapy.

Check out our June 2022 Newsletter that highlights the health benefits of exercise, the role of exercise in osteoporosis treatment, how physical therapy can relieve fibromyalgia symptoms, and migraine and headache awareness month.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition characterized by pain and tenderness throughout the body and extreme fatigue. It is considered a condition that causes central nervous system hypersensitivity and affects nearly five million Americans, the majority of whom are women. Physical therapy is a safe, non-pharmacological method to manage symptoms, reduce pain, improve function and quality of life, and help desensitize the chronic pain response of the nervous system using progressive therapeutic exercise, aquatic therapy, and manual therapy.

At Mangiarelli Rehabilitation, aquatic therapy takes place in our warm water therapeutic pool with our aquatic therapy specialist, Sue. Aquatic therapy provides a safe and effective environment to build strength, improve mobility and balance, and enhance function with minimal stress on your joints. On the blog, our aquatic therapist, Sue, explains what aquatic therapy involves, ways it can benefit you as a patient, and how it can improve your strength and reduce pain.

Chronic pain affects 100 million Americans and dramatically impacts an individual’s quality of life and physical function. Chronic pain is pain that persists for more than three months. After an injury heals, the body continues to send pain signals to the brain, resulting in chronic pain in the affected area. Physical therapy is one of the best methods to treat chronic pain for long-term pain management and improved quality of life without the need for medication. Check out our latest chronic pain infographic to learn more!

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that involves generalized chronic musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tender-to-touch areas of the body. Physical therapy is a safe method to decrease pain and symptoms as well as improve fitness and quality of life. Physical therapists create an individualized treatment plan based on the patient’s symptoms and condition. Learn more about physical therapy treatment on the blog!