The Role of Physical Therapy in the Management of Chronic Pain: A Review of Evidence

Abstract

Chronic pain is a significant health concern affecting a large population worldwide, resulting in ill health, decreased quality of life, and greater healthcare costs. Physical therapy has been recognized as a non-pharmacological intervention for managing chronic pain, with various tactics, such as exercise, manual therapy, and education, being utilized. This review aimed to investigate the role of physical therapy in the control of chronic pain by synthesizing the existing evidence from secondary data sources. A thorough literature search was carried out, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials, all of which were pertinent to the topic of how well physical therapy treatments work to improve function and reduce pain in people with chronic pain problems. The results showed that physical therapy treatments, such as education, exercise therapy, and manual therapy, were successful in lowering the level of pain in patients with chronic pain, restoring their ability to function physically, and increasing their overall quality of life. In conclusion, the review emphasizes the important role of physical therapy in the management of chronic pain and emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to incorporate physical therapy interventions as part of a multimodal approach to pain control. More investigation is required to examine the optimal physical therapy interventions and their long-term impacts on chronic pain outcomes.