Preventing Chronic Pain
Getting the right treatment, the first time is key
When it comes to recovering from an injury, the path you take can determine whether you experience a full, smooth recovery or face lingering, chronic pain for years to come.
Many people assume that any treatment is better than none, but the quality and type of treatment you receive can make all the difference.
Addressing your injury properly the first time lays a strong foundation for complete healing, while the wrong or insufficient treatment can lead to a cascade of compensations, misalignments, and, ultimately, chronic pain.
The Cost of Waiting or Choosing Ineffective Treatments
After an injury, the body's response involves inflammation, which is its way of beginning the healing process.
But if left untreated or addressed with less-than-effective methods, the body will attempt to "fix" itself in ways that can cause further problems down the line.
For example, untreated or poorly treated injuries can lead to:
1. Compensatory Movements: When one area is injured, other parts of the body often adapt to protect it. While this is a helpful short-term solution, over time, compensatory movements can put strain on muscles, joints, and connective tissues that weren’t designed to bear the additional load.
2. Myofascial Restrictions: The fascia, a web of connective tissue that supports every cell and tissue type, can become stuck down and restricted around the injured area. This restriction can inhibit mobility, create tension throughout the body, and lead to chronic pain if not released.
3. Nervous System Sensitization: Without proper treatment, low-level inflammation and pain will create an overly sensitive nervous system response to any or all undesired stimuli. This will create a vicious cycle that affects surrounding tissues and eventually the whole body, leading to ongoing pain and discomfort.
4. Mental and Emotional Stress: Chronic pain not only affects the body but can also impact mental health, contributing to stress, anxiety, and sometimes depression. This underscores the importance of finding effective treatment from the beginning.
What Makes the Right Treatment?
Choosing the right treatment involves more than just symptom management. It requires an approach that addresses the root cause of pain and dysfunction. For example, Myofascial Release treatment goes beyond temporary relief, targeting the underlying fascial restrictions that contribute to pain and limited mobility.
Here are some green-flags to look out for when seeking treatment:
✅ Comprehensive Assessment: Understanding the body as an interconnected system, rather than focusing solely on the injured area, allows a skilled practitioner to recognize and treat compensatory patterns.
✅ Hands-On, Targeted Therapies: 1-to-1 therapy that addresses the root cause of your discomfort with your practitioner, not their assistant or with a machine is crucial. Treatment like Myofascial Release targets structures that are often overlooked in conventional treatments, helping to release restrictions that are difficult to reach otherwise.
✅ Education and Empowerment: A good therapist will provide guidance on the etiology of your dysfunction and will share movement patterns, and self-care techniques (not just strengthening) to support healing between sessions. This approach enables patients to understand their bodies and make mindful decisions that prevent re-injury.
The Long-Term Benefits of Early, Effective Treatment
Investing in the right treatment the first time yields benefits that last well beyond the initial recovery. When an injury is treated comprehensively, the body has the best chance to return to its natural alignment and function, reducing the risk of chronic pain. Furthermore, proper treatment can help you avoid:
Painkillers & Narcotics
Steroid Injections, Nerve Blocks & Surgery
Further Injuries/Disability
Depression/Anxiety
Job Loss
Wasted Healthcare Dollars
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A Client’s Story: The Cost of not Getting It Right the First Time
Recently we got a call from a client who was told to seek out Myofascial Release treatment from a John Barnes trained therapist, here’s their story:
In early 2023, she sought out treatment for knee pain affecting her right leg. Nothing major but had some discomfort around her knee-cap.
She saw a Physiotherapist who was doing strengthening exercises with her. She improved slightly and was progressing well with her exercises so the therapist decided to add ankle weights to her exercise program.
When doing these weighted exercises she felt a sharp pain in her groin and booked an appoitment with her Doctor. She was diagnosed with an ‘Adductor Strain’
After giving the acute pain some time to subside, she decided to seek treatment from a massage therapist. After the treatment, she immediately felt the pain worsen.
As per her account, her whole leg went into spasm and she had difficulty walking. Nervous to try another therapy she waited a few months to seek any further help.
She managed her pain on her own the best she could but in that time she noticed the strength in her leg declining. She also began to develop pain in her right hip.
As she was relying on her left side for mobility more than ever, she then started to notice pain in her left hip and pelvis. Next came back pain, neck pain, and eventually difficulty swallowing.
She was tired all the time.
So she went back to her Doctor and got a requisition for an MRI, which just showed the mild adductor strain, and was otherwise unremarkable.
Eventually she decided to try Osteopathy and found some relief after 8 sessions, but still has lingering ‘nerve pain’ and difficulty walking.
She is now seeing us for treatment. Almost 2 years after the initial issue, and with many more complications and areas of pain and dysfunction. We are not just chronic pain treatment, we are also chronic pain prevention.
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If you’re dealing with an injury, remember that the steps you take now can shape your future well-being.
By seeking out the right, targeted treatments and addressing the deeper factors at play, you can give your body the best chance at healing fully and living pain-free. Whether it’s Myofascial Release or another rehabilitative therapy, investing in quality care early on is essential for long-term health.
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