Physical Therapy for Chronic Pain: Effective Strategies for Long COVID and Beyond
Many people grapple with chronic pain, a relentless condition that affects physical health and emotional and mental well-being too. It can stem from various causes like past injuries, underlying medical conditions, or even infections. Chronic pain can manifest as a dull ache, a sharp stabbing sensation, or a burning feeling, and it can significantly impact your ability to perform daily activities and enjoy life to the fullest.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a new dimension to chronic pain: Long COVID. This condition, also known as Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), affects individuals who have recovered from the initial COVID-19 infection but continue to experience lingering symptoms, including chronic pain.
The Link Between Long COVID and Chronic Pain
While the exact mechanisms are still being investigated, research suggests that Long COVID can trigger chronic pain through several pathways:
Inflammation
The virus can trigger persistent inflammation throughout the body, affecting muscles, joints, and nerves.
Nervous System Disruption
COVID-19 can impact the nervous system, leading to nerve damage and altered pain signaling.
Autoimmune Responses
In some cases, the virus may trigger autoimmune reactions, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, causing pain and inflammation.
Finding Relief Through Physical Therapy
Whether your chronic pain is a result of Long COVID or other causes, physical therapy can provide much-needed relief and help you regain control of your life. Here are four key ways physical therapy can help:
Pain Reduction
Through targeted exercises, joint mobilization, and manual therapy techniques, we can help reduce pain intensity and improve your body’s pain management mechanisms.
Improved Mobility and Function
Chronic pain often leads to decreased mobility and difficulty performing daily tasks. Physical therapy helps restore movement and strength, enabling you to participate in activities you enjoy.
Enhanced Strength
Chronic pain can lead to muscle weakness. Physical therapy helps rebuild strength and stamina, improving your overall physical capacity.
Education and Self-Management Strategies
Our PTs will empower you with knowledge about your condition and teach you self-management techniques to control your pain and prevent flare-ups for long-term success.
Treatment For Chronic Pain At Atrium Physical Therapy
If you’re struggling with chronic pain, don’t wait any longer to reach out to us. Our experienced physical therapists are dedicated to helping you regain control of your life and achieve your optimal level of function. Whether your chronic pain stems from Long COVID or other conditions, we will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals.
Schedule an appointment today and let us help you on your way to recovery.
Get Back to Feeling Your Best
Return to Atrium Physical Therapy and Let’s Continue Your Journey to Wellness Together. Schedule Your Appointment Now!
Get Your Health Back on Track This National Physical Therapy Month
October is National Physical Therapy Month, and at Atrium Physical Therapy, we’re celebrating by reminding our communities in Las Cruces that physical therapy is one of the safest and most effective ways to overcome pain, restore movement, and improve overall health.
If you’ve been struggling with pain, recovering from surgery, or dealing with an injury that limits your daily activities, our highly skilled therapists are here to guide you back to doing what you love. Unlike quick fixes that only mask symptoms, physical therapy addresses the root of the problem and provides lasting solutions tailored to your needs.
Why choose physical therapy? Here are just a few of the benefits:
- Improved mobility and range of motion: Therapy helps joints, muscles, and connective tissues move more freely so you can return to work, sports, and everyday life.
- Restored strength: Whether from injury, surgery, or poor movement habits, we identify weaknesses and build them back up to support healthier movement.
- Better overall health: PT encourages healthier habits, improved posture, and increased activity, all of which reduce pain and enhance wellness.
- Lower risk of re-injury: By teaching you safer movement patterns, we help protect your body from future setbacks.
At Atrium Physical Therapy, we believe care should be generous, clearly understood, and focused on helping you achieve real results. Our mission is to positively impact lives by combining compassion, encouragement, and expert treatment for every patient we see.
If pain or limitation is holding you back, there’s no better time to take the first step. Call today or request an appointment at www.atriumpt.com. Let’s make this National Physical Therapy Month the start of your journey back to health.
October Word Scramble
dancy
nlhealeow
mkpupin
rwcrcesao
ealevs
dierc
Answer Key
candy
halloween
pumpkin
scarecrow
leaves
cider
Enjoy This Seasonal Recipe!
Greek Turkey Burgers with Spinach
Savor the delicious blend of juicy turkey, fresh spinach, and bold Mediterranean spices in these Greek-inspired burgers. Nutritious and flavorful, they’re a wholesome twist on a classic favorite that’s perfect for any meal.
- 1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed
- 1 lb 93% lean ground turkey
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground pepper
- 4 small hamburger buns, preferably whole-wheat
- 4 tbsp tzatziki
- 12 slices cucumber
- 8 thick rings red onion (about ¼-inch)
Directions:
Preheat grill to medium-high. Squeeze excess moisture from spinach. Combine the spinach with turkey, feta, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper in a medium bowl; mix well. Form into four 4-inch patties. Oil the grill rack. Grill the patties until cooked through and no longer pink in the center, 4 to 6 minutes per side. (An instant-read thermometer inserted in the center should register 165°F.) Assemble the burgers on the buns, topping each with 1 tablespoon tzatziki, 3 cucumber slices and 2 onion rings.
Exercise of the Month
SQUATS
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms extended in front of you for balance. Slowly bend your knees and lower your hips as if sitting back into a chair, keeping your chest lifted and knees behind your toes. Push through your heels to return to standing.
3 Sets, 10 Reps.
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3 Tips to Improve Nutrition in the Fall
What do you think of when you hear the word fall? Crisp refreshing days? Bonfires and changing leaves? Pumpkin carving? What if you were to focus on your nutrition this fall?
The food we eat has a significant impact on several elements of our health, particularly our heart health. Obesity, weight gain, physical inactivity, stress, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol all increase the risk of heart disease and other cancers.
Considering the importance of nutrition, it’s never the wrong time to think critically about your diet. At Atrium Physical Therapy, we know that fall can be busy, which is why we want to give you a few simple tips on how to improve your nutrition this season.
1. Try to eat more root vegetables
The majority of root vegetables are available all year, but they are most ripe from fall to spring. During the cooler months, garlic, onions, ginger, turnips, carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, and parsnips provide plenty of flavor and nutrients.
Many root vegetables are high in folate, which is essential for cell growth and metabolism!
2. Make a hearty soup
Making a large pot of soup every weekend is a great way to improve your nutrition throughout the week. Soups, while they can take several hours to cook, usually require very little active time.
When it comes to recipes to try, your options are virtually endless. There’s hearty bean soup, pureed root vegetable soup, winter squash soup, traditional chicken noodle soup, chili, and so much more! And with temperatures dropping, what tastes better than a warm stew?
3. Select leaner sources of protein
Did you know that regularly eating red meat and processed meat can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and certain cancers?
So, instead of opting for red meat, select leaner sources of protein for your meals and recipes. This can include chicken, turkey, beans, lentils, low-fat yogurt, fish, tofu, and nuts.
If you think you need a little more help developing a healthy diet this fall, contact Atrium Ridge Physical Therapy today. We can help you develop an exercise and nutrition plan that works for your needs.
Meet Our Team
Dennis L. Prickett
PT, Owner, Chief of Operations
Anthony Apodaca
PTA, Clinic Lead
Jacob Robles
PT Tech
Anna Marie Robles
Customer Service Representative
Monique Montoya
Customer Service Representative
Leticia Guaderrama
Patient Account Specialist
Philip Montoya
Office Assistant
TJ Mallari
PT, DPT
