4 Actionable Tips for Managing Chronic Pain as an Athlete

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You shouldn’t have to deal with chronic pain just because you enjoy being active. Yet, millions of athletes around the world deal with pain on a daily basis so they can continue to do the sports that they love. So, whether you’re a weekend warrior, your neighborhood sports fiend or a professional athlete, here are four actionable tips for managing chronic pain that don’t involve medication.

1. Separate Good Pain From Bad

You wouldn’t have achieved all you have as an athlete if you gave up at the first sign of discomfort. Muscle soreness is an inherent part of increasing strength. But then again, if you keep “pushing through” pain, you run the risk of injury, right? Learn to separate good pain from bad, or more accurate, natural discomfort from actual pain.

2. Have Physical Therapy

Physical therapy in Scottsdale, AZ at Endurance Rehabilitation isn’t just here when you have a sports injury. We can also help with increasing your joint motility, and strength and conditioning training. Give us a call to learn more, because the stronger you are, the less chronic pain you may experience.

3. Have Alternative Therapies

Massage, acupuncture and other physical therapy techniques are also viable ways to manage chronic pain as an athlete, and none of them involves drugs.

4. Enjoy an Anti-inflammatory Diet

As an athlete, you know how integral diet is to your success. Talk to us about planning menus that have anti-inflammatory properties. You won’t need to take cooking classes, we promise!

Living with chronic pain doesn’t mean giving up on your athletic goals. By incorporating practical strategies like the ones mentioned above into your routine, you can reduce discomfort, prevent further injury, and continue pursuing the sports you love. Contact your Scottsdale, AZ physical therapist to learn more.

3 Tips for Physical Therapy in Phoenix, AZ

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Preparing ahead of time is the best way to benefit from physical therapy in Phoenix, AZ. Here are three top tips for physical therapy patients visiting Endurance Rehabilitation in Scottsdale, AZ.

Eat a Balanced, Healthy Diet

Before taking physical therapy, choose to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Avoid drinking too much alcohol, especially if you are taking medication affected by the substance. Eat less salt to help reduce water retention during sweaty sessions.

Bring a List of Your Medications

On the first day of physical therapy at Endurance Rehabilitation, have a list of the prescription medications you are on. Note any over-the-counter drugs, such as pain medication, that you are taking when you start therapy.

This way, your therapist will ensure you are not over-stressed in a way that the medication would jeopardize. For example, if you take medicine for high blood pressure, it is important to disclose this since such medicine indicates you also have a heart condition.

Do Not Miss Therapy

Once you begin physical therapy, you need to maintain therapy sessions. Avoid missing a single treatment; you will benefit most from physical therapy—plan on being on time and ready to give 100 percent at each therapy session. Find a way to complete homework as the physical therapist requires in between sessions. This is the only way to successfully complete physical therapy for its full benefit without injuring yourself.

Sign Up For Physical Therapy in Phoenix or Scottsdale

Endurance Rehabilitation has two locations in Arizona: Scottsdale and Phoenix. Both locations provide physical therapy in a professional setting. Call us at 480-556-8406 to schedule physical therapy today. See what our physical therapists have to offer.

Is Dry Needling More Effective than Acupuncture?

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Dry needling and acupuncture both rely on the same kinds of needles to reduce pain and discomfort in the patient. The administrator’s goal is to call on the central nervous system to activate. That activation should result in some relief, as the response can promote healing for the patient. We’ll look at the differences between them and which one is more effective.

Dry Needling in Phoenix, AZ

Dry needling in Phoenix, AZ, uses needles to go deep into the muscles. It uses fewer needles than acupuncture, and those needles won’t have to be in the patient for as long. The technique is based on Western medicine instead of Eastern philosophy and does not claim to help patients with various conditions (e.g., allergies, depression, etc.). These needles are used in muscles that may have been knotted together, breaking them up, increasing blood flow, and allowing the body’s natural healing response to kick in.

If you’re interested in this treatment, it’s highly recommended if you have a specific muscle condition that could use some attention. This could be for anything from neck pain to heel pain to TMJ. The practice is done alongside a full assessment of your systems, giving the practitioner a precise treatment plan that they can use to stimulate real change in the body.

Physical Therapy Treatment in Scottsdale, AZ

The right physical therapy in Scottsdale, AZ, can make a huge difference for anyone struggling with pain or discomfort. At Endurance Rehabilitation, we have two offices in the Phoenix area to help you find a treatment plan that works for you. Contact us today if you’re looking for a professional who can help you work through it all so that you can get back as much mobility as possible.

Understanding Long-Term Pain After Joint Replacement

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For the right patient, joint replacement surgery can be a saving grace. However, in order to reap the most from any joint replacement surgery, physical therapy in Scottsdale, AZ will be a necessary part of your recovery process. Unfortunately, many patients do deal with pain after joint replacement, sometimes even for longer than expected. Find out why pain can be so persistent and how physical therapy can help.

Why Pain Can Persist After Joint Replacement Surgery

Pain should be anticipated after joint replacement of any kind. The tissue and bones in the area have undergone a substantial amount of trauma. This trauma can lead to inflammation that naturally increases how much pain you feel, especially with movement. This pain can linger for several months. For example, it is not uncommon for pain after knee replacement to last anywhere from six months to a year or more.

How Physical Therapy Can Help with Pain After Joint Replacement

While physical therapy can seem like a challenge when you’re in pain, the therapy can help substantially. The exercise done in physical therapy can encourage blood circulation in the area, which improves oxygenation and helps to thwart issues with inflammation. By targeting inflammation through physical therapy, your range of motion can also improve. Therefore, you get the two-fold benefit of reduced pain and better movement capacity. Over time, your tissues will regrate faster, which will also mean reduced pain and quicker healing.

Work with the Best Physical Therapist in Scottsdale, AZ

Are you facing joint replacement surgery and worried about the rehabilitation process? Be sure to trust your recovery to the best physical therapy center in Scottsdale, AZ. Reach out to Endurance Rehab to make sure you have a good support team on your side throughout your recovery.

What to Expect at Your First Physical Therapy Appointment

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If you have recently received a referral for physical therapy in Scottsdale, Arizona, you may wonder what to expect during your first session. Endurance Rehab, with offices in Scottsdale, Mesa, and Phoenix, outlines what typically happens during the first physical therapy session in this blog.

How to Prepare for Your First Appointment at Endurance Rehab

We encourage all patients to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that allow them to bend and stretch with ease. You should also come prepared to discuss your injury or chronic health condition. For example, your physical therapist needs to know when the problem began and what you have already tried to help yourself feel better.

Your physical therapist will also ask you questions about how your condition affects your day-to-day life, mobility, and independence. Here are some other questions you should be prepared to answer:

  • How often do you experience symptoms?
  • Which activities seem to make your symptoms better or worse?
  • Which prescription and non-prescription medications do you take?
  • Have you had any adverse reactions to physical therapy in the past?
  • How is your overall health? Have you had any recent surgeries?

Your physical therapist uses the answers you provide to these questions to create your initial treatment plan. Keep in mind that your treatment plan will change as you make progress or continue to struggle in certain areas.

Your Initial Physical Therapy Exam

After getting up to speed on your current medical condition and overall health status, your physical therapist then conducts an exam to obtain a baseline in these areas:

  • Balance
  • Functional mobility
  • Heart rate and palpitation
  • Neurological status
  • Range of motion
  • Strength tests

You will spend most of the first session testing and getting acquainted with your new physical therapist. From that point forward, you should expect to spend the entire session completing various exercises tailored to help you overcome or compensate for your weaknesses.

Please contact us to learn more about setting up physical therapy in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Sources

What to Expect at Physical Therapy: Your First Session (verywellhealth.com)