At Blackberry Clinic we believe that a multi disciplinary patient centred approach is key to pain management. Our doctors and practitioners work together to produce a personalised pain management treatment programme for their patients. If you are suffering from chronic pain, do not hesitate to get in touch to see how we can help you. Contact us on our website using the contact form or call your local Blackberry Clinic. We offer physical therapy and medical interventional pain relieving injection treatments in Milton Keynes, Oxford, Guildford, Birmingham, Croydon, Ipswich, Fareham and Lichfield (physio only).
Pain management is often interpreted like a 3-legged stool. The legs being interventions, (including specific coping techniques, yoga, physical therapy, and exercise for example), medication and counselling. Without all three legs the stool will fall. As you learn to pace your activities, reach goals, relax, and find ways to cope with pain, you will begin to experience a bigger picture and work to remove pain from the centre of your life.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy including massage does not only have to be saved for when you are in pain. Having maintenance sessions will help regulate your pain levels. However during a flare-up pain can be relieved and your hypersensitivity reduced through therapy. There are many aspects to physical therapy treatment and how it can help manage your chronic pain.
Physical Activity
The importance of physical activity when living with chronic pain cannot be overstated. Gentle exercise, as difficult as it may sound, should be a central part of your treatment plan. Exercise keeps stiff joints lubricated and muscles strong. It’s good for your mental and general health and helps maintain a good body weight. Get advice from your physical therapist about what activities you can do. Walking, swimming, gentle strength training, yoga and Pilates are all good ideas, even chair yoga could be an option if the thought of getting up off the floor is challenging.
Healthy Diet
Certain foods have anti inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties which can be a natural way of reducing pain and promoting cellular health. A healthy diet will also help with weight control as your activity levels may be less than in the past. A combination of good eating habits and exercise will help manage your weight and make you feel better about yourself which in turn may help you coping with the pain more easily. Our nutritional therapist, Eleanor Allum, offers consultations in person in Oxford and Milton Keynes and by Zoom or Skype if those locations do not suit you.
Ask for Help
This may be one of the hardest things to accept and do. Know your limitations and get assistance when you can, trying to do something you know is hard will affect you later that day or evening. It may be simple like asking for a chair if you have been standing at a party for too long, or consider using a wheelchair when at the supermarket or airport. Or simply getting someone to help with chores at home occasionally.
Alternative Therapy
This may include acupuncture, hypnosis or Reiki for example. You may not know what works for you until you try it. A number of our therapists offer Acupuncture treatment.
The information contained in this article is intended as general guidance and information only and should not be relied upon as a basis for planning
individual medical care or as a substitute for specialist medical advice in each individual case. ©Co-Kinetic 2019/Blackberry Clinic 2021
