Are you tired of dealing with pain day in and day out? Have you been struggling with persistent pain for months or even years, and it’s taking a bigger and bigger toll on your life? For some people with pain, the simplest tasks are now major challenges, and over-the-counter or prescription pain meds don’t seem to provide any relief.
Unfortunately, this is a common experience for millions of Americans. Recent research has found that millions of people suffer from persistent pain each year. This is where our physical and occupational therapists step in.
At Professional Care Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, we understand that pain comes in various forms, affecting people throughout their bodies in unique ways. We’re committed to staying at the forefront of the latest advancements in pain management, ensuring that our patients receive the best care possible.
We know that pain can be overwhelming, but we’re here to remind you that there is hope!
Understanding Different Types of Pain
Here’s an explanation of these types:
Nociceptive Pain: This type of pain results from the stimulation of specialized nerve sensors called nociceptors. Nociceptive pain is often described as sharp, aching, or throbbing and is typically localized. It can be acute, like when you accidentally bump your knee, or chronic, as seen in conditions like arthritis.
Central Pain: Central pain arises from dysfunctions within the central nervous system (i.e., the brain and spinal cord). Central pain starts inside the central nervous system itself. Examples include fibromyalgia and pain associated with spinal cord injuries.
Neuropathic Pain: This type of pain is caused by nerve damage or dysfunction. It may manifest as burning, tingling, or shooting sensations. It is typically associated with conditions like diabetic neuropathy or nerve injuries (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome).
Psychosocial Pain: Psychosocial pain involves mental or social factors influencing pain perception. Stress, anxiety, depression, and social support (or lack thereof) can significantly affect how pain is experienced. It is not directly tied to tissue damage but is due to mental and emotional states.
Movement System Pain: This pain is directly related to the biomechanics of movement, such as issues with joint positions or control or muscle imbalances. We often work with this type of pain, prescribing targeted exercises to correct movement dysfunctions contributing to the discomfort.
Finding Relief from Pain with Physical and Occupational Therapy
Both physical therapy and occupational therapy can help you find relief from pain. The biggest difference is that our occupational and certified hand therapists have specialized training in the small, complicated joints of your hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders. Our physical therapists can help with pain elsewhere (such as in your back or knees).
Regardless, your first session will typically begin with questions about your medical history, the specific nature of your pain, its location, and any factors that make it better or worse. Next, we’ll evaluate your posture, muscle strength, range of motion, and any areas of tenderness. We’ll also assess your movement patterns to identify any abnormalities or dysfunctions.
We use this information to identify the underlying issue causing your pain. This may involve determining the type of pain (e.g., nociceptive, neuropathic, or movement system-related) and its primary sources.
Once your therapist understands your condition, we will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. Our treatments may include manual therapy techniques to release tension and improve joint mobility. Exercise is another crucial component, tailored to your needs and designed to correct movement dysfunctions. Education is vital in empowering you with the knowledge and tools to manage your pain effectively.
If you’re working with one of our certified hand therapists, we might also fit you with a custom splint. This immobilizes an injured hand or wrist joint to protect it while it heals (for injuries) or during flare-ups (for conditions such as arthritis).
You Don’t Have to Live with Pain
Patients are often fearful of making their condition worse. As a result, they often either do nothing or get so frustrated they ignore clear warning signs and push through. In either case, the result is more suffering. The key is finding a balance in the middle, where you do just enough to improve but not to worsen it.
At Professional Care Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, our physical, occupational, and certified hand therapists will help you find that balance and guide you through the steps you need to take to feel good again!
Professional Care’s Marketing Director, Hitting all of the
Right Notes
Our Marketing Director, Danielle, is typically immersed in the background at Professional Care, dedicating herself to innovating and enhancing our outreach initiatives to uphold our focus on patient care and community involvement. However, on August 10th, 2024, Danielle stepped into the spotlight at the 50-yard line to sing the National Anthem for the Buffalo Bills and a crowd of over 63,000 fans, fulfilling a goal she had pursued for years.
Her father, a devoted Buffalo Bills fan, passed away eight years ago, and Danielle made him a promise that she would sing for his favorite NFL team one day. In a poignant gesture, Danielle wore a bracelet containing her father’s whistle and a small heart locket with some of his ashes during her performance.
Danielle’s passion for singing began when her son joined the local Pat-Med RAIDER Youth Program at the age of six, where she started performing the National Anthem. Her son, Alex Hofmann, now 19 and a 2023 Pat-Med graduate, plays linebacker for St. John Fisher University’s football team, coincidentally where the Buffalo Bills hold their off-season training.
In addition to her memorable performance for the Buffalo Bills, Danielle has also sung at Citi Field for the New York Mets, the New York Islanders, the Long Island Ducks, and the Hampton Classic, among other notable events.
“Performing the National Anthem is a way for me to express the love of our country, the freedoms we are entitled to, and most importantly to pay respect to the men and women of our armed forces who have served our country, sacrificing their own lives, so that my family and I can enjoy all that we are blessed with,” she said explaining why she sings the anthem. “My father would have been incredibly proud to have been part of this day, and I am truly grateful to the Buffalo Bills establishment for their generous hospitality.”
Photos by Madison Hofmann
From Scholarship to Court:
Alexis Bulson-Cuozzo’s Exciting New Chapter
A new chapter begins for Alexis Bulson-Cuozzo, a 2024 Pat-Med graduate and recipient of this year’s Professional Care Scholarship! Alexis is set to embark on her journey at Lasell University this fall, pursuing a major in exercise science. Alongside her studies, she will continue her love of sports as she has committed to play for the Lasell Lasers Women’s Basketball Team. We wish her the very best in her freshman year, and look forward to following her journey!
Feel Better by Eating Better!
Avocado-Egg Toast
Add a little oomph to your morning with this Avocado-Egg Toast! A slice of toasted whole-grain bread topped with avocado is good, but when you add a protein-rich egg, it’s even better.
- ¼ avocado
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 slice whole-wheat bread, toasted
- 1 large egg, fried
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon scallion, sliced (Optional)
Combine avocado, pepper and garlic powder in a small bowl and gently mash. Top toast with the avocado mixture and fried egg. Garnish with Sriracha and scallion, if desired.
Source: https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/267169/avocado-egg-toast/
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
Don’t let pain dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and well-being with our expert support. Start your journey to a healthier you today.
