Acute pain is the result of injury, disease, or inflammation and comes on suddenly. The cause of injury is usually known and the pain disappears when the tissue heals. It doesn't last more than 6 months.
Physiotherapists use different healing modalities to enhance healing and to decrease pain. They also use hands-on treatment and a gradual exercise program to restore mobility, balance, or strength, so the patients can resume their functional daily activities and/or return to work. Prevention education plays an important role in finding the cause of the injury.
Chronic pain is a pain that persists longer than 6 months after the injuries have healed. The body doesn't respond to most medical treatments and the cause of the pain is unknown.
Clinical studies in the science of pain and neuroplasticity over the last 20 years have changed the approach to treatment of chronic pain. Neuroplasticity is a term used to describe the brain's ability to rewire and change itself functionally and structurally based on personal experience. Our thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, previous experiences with pain, perceived disability, stress, fear, and anger, all play an important role in chronic pain.
Physiotherapists treating persistent/chronic pain focus on pain assessment and appropriate patient education regarding the factors affecting pain. In our clinic we use graded motor imagery, mirror therapy, guided relaxation, meditation, goal setting and pacing of activities, gentle exercises and yoga.
