What is it?

Chronic pain can go on for months or even years, especially when you can’t find the proper diagnosis or treatment for it. Chronic pain differs from the other main category of pain, acute pain, in that it doesn't always have a cause that you can pinpoint. Chronic pain also differs from acute pain as it cannot always be measured or found through diagnostic testing. Physical therapy may help determine the location and extent of the damage.

Some common forms of chronic pain:

• Sciatica
• Arthritis
• Headaches
• Pelvic joint pain
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Frozen shoulder
• Foot pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tennis elbow

How can physical therapy help?

Physical therapy can help determine the underlying cause of your chronic pain as well as specific treatments that will help decrease pain and increase your quality of life. Therapists may practice manual therapy, dry needling, therapeutic exercise or neuromuscular re-education to best treat your condition.