Chronic pain can often feel unpredictable, but did you know that some everyday activities might be triggering your discomfort? Chronic pain triggers often go unnoticed until the pain worsens, and these surprising culprits may be hiding in your daily routine.
From poor posture to high stress, several unexpected factors can contribute to long-lasting pain. Understanding these triggers can make a huge difference in managing and reducing your pain over time.
The team at Delmarva Physical Therapy has extensive experience helping people manage chronic pain. One technique we often incorporate into our treatment program is identifying and addressing different chronic pain triggers, which can significantly improve quality of life.
Today, we want to share some of the chronic pain triggers we’ve encountered in our patients–and what you can do about them.
Five Surprising Chronic Pain Triggers
Poor Posture
Slouching or sitting in awkward positions can put unnecessary strain on your muscles and joints. Over time, this can lead to persistent pain that often feels like it came out of nowhere.
Our physical therapists can assess your posture and recommend strategies to improve it. This might include targeted exercises to strengthen your core muscles, which can help you maintain spinal alignment. We’ll also help you find the right alignment for your body and ensure you retain that alignment no matter what you’re doing.
Stress
If you’ve ever noticed a flareup of chronic pain during times of high stress, it’s not your imagination! While stress doesn’t directly cause physical pain, it does cause muscle tension, particularly in your neck, shoulders, and back. If left unaddressed, the tension can worsen chronic pain symptoms.
Our therapists use manual therapy techniques to help relieve restrictions in your soft tissue, helping to improve your mobility and offering immediate pain relief. We can also teach you techniques that help release built-up tension, reducing pain while promoting calm and balance.
Weak Core Muscles
A weak core, which includes the muscles in your back, abdominals, glutes, and hips, can lead to improper body mechanics and increase the likelihood of injuries, contributing to chronic pain.
Strengthening your core with targeted exercises through physical therapy helps support your spine and improve overall stability, significantly reducing discomfort from this trigger. We’ll help you find the right exercises for your needs and ability level.
Overuse of Certain Muscles
Performing the same movements day in and day out can lead to overuse injuries that, if unaddressed, can cause chronic pain.
Our physical therapists can help by designing a balanced exercise program that strengthens weak muscles and gives overworked areas the rest they need, promoting healing and reducing pain.
A Sedentary Lifestyle
Not moving enough can cause a host of issues throughout your body, including stiff joints and weak muscles. Staying active (in a way that matches your ability levels) is essential to managing chronic pain symptoms.
Fortunately, our team can help by introducing safe and effective movement strategies to keep you mobile and strong and prevent stiffness from becoming a long-term issue.
Learn More About Your Chronic Pain Triggers!
At Delmarva Physical Therapy, we’ll work with you to develop a personalized treatment program that addresses your chronic pain triggers head-on–helping you find the relief you deserve.
Schedule an appointment at our Berlin, MD clinic today to get started!
