How Can Physical Therapists Promote Self-Management Strategies for People With Pain?
Chronic musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, neck and back pain are the main cause of disability among working adults. Although no clear pathology is found in most cases, 2016 data shows low back pain as the fifth leading cause – after ischemic heart disease, lung cancer, COPD, and diabetes – of years lost […]
Improve Psychological Flexibility, Improve Chronic Pain Treatment at Your Physical Therapy Clinic
Just as a lack of flexibility throughout your musculoskeletal system can limit one’s range of motion, hold an athlete back from performing optimally, and even increase one’s chances of suffering an injury, such limitations in the mind can have a similar affect. Without a good amount of “psychological flexibility”, as it’s called, researchers say both […]
Could Alterations in the Gut Microbiome Mediate Chronic Pain in Patients with Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia (FM) is an intriguing medical condition, characterized by chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep problems, gastrointestinal disturbances, and alterations in mood and cognition. It affects 2-4% of the adult population, and is especially prevalent among women (although this has been recently challenged) (1). There is no cure for FM, nor a single treatment that […]
A CBT-Based Home Health Physical Therapy Program for Seniors with Activity-limiting Pain: Progress and Pitfalls
Emotional distress is a common but seldom addressed aspect of chronic pain, a growing health problem that affects millions of Americans. Reduced mobility, limitations in daily activities, dependence on opioids , anxiety and depression, and poor perceived health or reduced quality of life are among the most frequent issues faced by people with chronic pain […]
Physical Therapy and ACT for Chronic Low Back Pain: The PACT Study
Low back pain is the leading global cause of years lost to disability and a pressing public health concern (1). Pharmacological and surgical management of chronic low back pain (CLBP) are largely ineffective long term and are associated with significant health problems. Accordingly, newer guidelines promote self-management strategies, physical and psychological therapies, and diverse forms […]
From Yellow to Green: The Advantages of Psychologically Informed Care
As anyone who has ever driven a car knows, road signs and signals speak as much through color as they do with words. And while bolder colors like red and green leave little room for interpretation, a color like yellow cautions us to take a closer look at potential factors that may be cause for […]
