Aches and pains are often a part of life. We have all experienced waking up with a stiff neck, or feeling the impact of a long day in our knees and lower back. However, at some point, these aches and pains should not be tolerated. Namely, when an ache turns into chronic pain that lasts longer than several weeks, or even several months, you should take notice and seek treatment.

Unfortunately, many adults accept chronic pain as a way of life. They compensate for their daily activities and lifestyle to cater toward the aching pain in their lower back or their “bad knee” instead of searching for treatments that could help them find relief.

At Franklin Rehab, we offer evidence-based treatment for chronic pain in the back, neck, knee and other joints in the body. Our physical therapy team helps patients by creating personalized treatment plans specific to a patient’s lifestyle and condition. If you’ve been living with chronic pain for weeks, months or years, take a look at these three signs that indicate you may need to undergo physical therapy treatment to find relief.

Three key indicators for physical therapy

Sometimes it can be hard to tell when chronic aches and pains are normal, and when they need physical therapy treatment. Fortunately, we’ve put together three key indicators that will tell you when it’s time to see a physical therapist about treatment.

• Your pain is chronic — Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than a few months, but our specialists would argue that it’s pain that lasts longer than a few weeks without getting better. Chronic pain is often a sign of an injury or degeneration, rather than a simple “tweak” to the musculoskeletal system. This often needs to be treated with a physical therapy program. 

• Your pain alters your lifestyle — If your pain has reached a point where you can no longer participate in the hobbies you enjoy, then it may be time to think about physical therapy. There is no sense wasting months and years to a pain that can be treated.  

• Your pain gets worse — If your pain is worsening over time or with certain movements, you need to see a physical therapist. Left untreated, your pain may continue to get worse over time, which can lead to a diminished quality of life.

Schedule a physical therapy appointment today

It’s time to take your life back from chronic pain. Contact our team at Franklin Rehab today to schedule an initial appointment. Our physical therapy team can help you find a custom treatment plan that will help you get back to the life you enjoy.