Chronic Pain Therapy

From gaining weight and having troubling sleeping, to mood swings and even depression, pain can have far-reaching effects. You want relief. And that’s why we’re here.

• Top-rated therapy team: You’ll see a therapist trained in the latest pain management techniques.
• One-to-one care: Because our therapists treat only one patient at a time, you’ll have our full attention every time you visit. Your therapist will tailor your treatment plan to your precise needs and guide you through it every step of the way.
• Convenient for you: You’ll have all the therapy services you need, all in one place. We offer extended morning and evening hours Monday through Friday. And we offer valet and garage parking, right next to the hospital Main Entry.

Most of all, we’re here to make your pain management therapy as comfortable and productive as possible so you can relax and focus on feeling better. We invite you to come see the difference our therapy center can make.

Where science and service come together.

Chronic pain is complex, and managing it can be even more complicated. Here are five strategies to help you manage chronic pain:

1. Understand your pain
2. Exercise more
3. Set goals and pace your activity
4. Get enough sleep
5. Eat better

We will help you understand these strategies and how to begin using them to manage your pain.

Understanding your pain.

Understanding why you’re in pain and how you feel about it can be the first steps to managing it better. Here are some proven techniques:

Get moving: If your pain gets worse when you sit or lie down, try changing your posture, getting up—even exercising lightly.

Take a break: Your body needs rest, so stop and relax at regular intervals.

Just breathe: Relax by sitting comfortably with your eyes closed. Breathe in and out, imagining yourself at a favorite, peaceful place—perhaps the beach or mountains. Feel the pattern and regularity of each breath.

Relax every muscle: Sit comfortably and relax. Tighten one muscle group—say your legs—for five to seven seconds, then relax for 30 seconds. As the tension releases, notice how the muscle softens and relaxes. Repeat with another muscle group.

Exercising more.

Cardiovascular and aerobic exercise are proven to have a wide range of benefits, from building your endurance to improving your mood. Even walking or stair-climbing can make a big difference. We’ll help you determine if an exercise program can be an effective part of your pain management program.

Setting goals.

Keeping a pain log can help you set goals and determine how to better deal with pain as it occurs. Your pain log can also help you pace your activities and help lessen the occurrence and severity of pain. For example, you could set an amount of time for performing a particular task. Plan for rest breaks, and gradually increase the amount of time you can perform the task without resting or causing extra pain.

Getting enough sleep.

If you’re not getting seven to nine hours of sleep, you’re not alone. People who have chronic pain often don’t get enough sleep. We can help you identify some commonsense strategies that will help you get more sleep, such as limiting your naps, watching what you eat and drink before bedtime, and turning off the TV before you get in bed.

Eating better.

Eating a well-balanced diet of good foods is not only essential to your health, it also helps avoid the conditions that lead to chronic pain, such as being overweight or obese. We can help you work with a dietitian or nutritionist to create a better diet, just for you.

Learn more about Pain Management at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. For appointments, call us at 800.996.5433.