The acute phase, or immediately after an injury, involves activity adjustment to protect the injured area as well as scar tissue modification. Appropriate exercises are introduced during each phase of healing to speed progression and prevent range of motion deficits and muscle imbalances. The factors that predisposed you to injury should also be explored, and correction should be intertwined in your treatment. The longer a person has lived with an unresolved injury, the greater the challenge to effectively rehabilitate. Rehab from an injury that is more than six months old is usually quite extensive.
Adaptive changes occur throughout the entire body.
Chronic pain can be very debilitating both mentally and physically, and is challenging for both patient and practitioner. Frequently rehabilitation of people with chronic pain is like peeling back the layers of an onion. Also of note is that treatment usually needs to be multifaceted. Successful treatment of chronic problems needs to address the muscles, joints and nerves. Education is critical to help patients understand the reasons for their pain, and to help them re-create an environment that allows balance and free flowing motion.