Chronic Pain Treatment

Chronic pain is persistent pain that lasts for 3 months or longer, even after the initial injury or illness has healed. Unlike acute pain, which serves as a warning signal that something is wrong and typically resolves once healing occurs, chronic pain continues long after it should have disappeared. This persistent pain can significantly impact your quality of life, affecting your ability to work, exercise, socialize, and even perform daily activities.

At MKE Physical Therapy, we take a holistic, individualized approach to treating chronic pain. Rather than just addressing symptoms, we work to identify the root causes of your pain along the entire kinetic chain. Through comprehensive evaluation, manual therapy, targeted exercises, and education, we develop a customized treatment plan designed to reduce pain, improve function, and enhance your overall quality of life. The goal is not just temporary relief but providing you with the tools and knowledge to manage and minimize your pain long-term.

Physical therapy can effectively treat many types of chronic pain, including:

• Lower back pain
• Neck pain
• Headaches and migraines
• Fibromyalgia
• Arthritis pain
• Neuropathic (nerve) pain
• Post-surgical pain
• Work-related injuries
• Sports injuries that haven’t properly healed
• Chronic tendonitis and bursitis

Every patient’s experience with chronic pain is unique, and so is their healing journey. Some patients experience meaningful relief after just 1-2 sessions, while others with more complex conditions may require a longer course of treatment. During your initial evaluation, we’ll assess your specific condition and develop a personalized plan of care with a projected timeline. What’s most important is that you’ll gain effective strategies for managing your pain from the very first session.

MKE Physical Therapy is a Direct Care Physical Therapy clinic, which means we don’t accept insurance. However, many patients find that our treatment packages are actually more affordable than pursuing treatment through traditional insurance-based clinics, especially for those with high deductibles or limited visit allowances. Our transparent pricing model eliminates surprise bills, and our focused one-on-one care often results in fewer total sessions needed. You’re welcome to submit your receipt to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

While some techniques may cause temporary discomfort, we’re highly skilled at working within your comfort levels. The goal is never to increase your pain but rather to identify movements and treatments that will ultimately decrease it. Communication is key—we will encourage you to provide feedback throughout your sessions so treatments can be adjusted as needed. Many patients report feeling better, not worse, after their sessions.

Several key factors distinguish our approach:

1. Dedicated one-on-one time: Your entire 60+ minute session is spent directly with your Physical Therapist, not assistants or with multiple patients.
2. Comprehensive treatment: We combine manual therapy, functional dry needling, therapeutic exercise, and education for a multi-faceted approach.
3. Root cause focus: Rather than just treating symptoms, we identify and address the underlying causes of your pain.
4. Empowerment through education: You’ll learn self-management techniques that help you take control of your pain.
5. Holistic perspective: We consider how your pain impacts all aspects of your life and tailor treatment accordingly.

During your initial evaluation, we will conduct a thorough assessment that includes:

• A detailed discussion of your pain history, including onset, patterns, and triggers
• Review of any previous treatments and their effectiveness
• Comprehensive physical examination to assess posture, movement patterns, strength, and flexibility
• Analysis of how pain is affecting your daily activities and quality of life
• Identification of goals for treatment and your vision of success

This information helps create a complete picture of your condition and informs your personalized treatment plan.

Wear comfortable clothing that allows for movement and provides access to the areas of pain. Athletic wear such as t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, or leggings are ideal. For lower back or hip pain, shorts or loose-fitting pants that can be easily adjusted are recommended. For shoulder or neck pain, a tank top or short-sleeved shirt works well.

The frequency of visits depends on your specific condition, goals, and response to treatment. Initially, we typically recommend 1 visit per week to build momentum in your healing process. As you progress, visits become less frequent, transitioning to maintenance care or discharge with a home exercise program. we will discuss the recommended treatment frequency during your initial evaluation and adjust as needed based on your progress.

Yes, home exercises are a crucial component of successful chronic pain management. We will prescribe specific exercises tailored to your condition and needs, demonstrating proper form and providing clear instructions. These exercises reinforce the work done during your sessions and help build resilience against pain. The home program is designed to be manageable and may include a combination of stretching, strengthening, and movement pattern retraining.

Absolutely! Even long-standing chronic pain can respond well to physical therapy. The brain and nervous system remain adaptable throughout life, and with the right approach, pain patterns can be modified. We have successfully treated many patients who have suffered from chronic pain for years or even decades. While the timeline for improvement may be longer for more persistent conditions, meaningful progress is often possible.

Taking the first step toward managing your chronic pain is easy. Simply schedule a discovery call through our website, or call us at (414) 502-8321. During this brief consultation, we will learn about your condition and discuss how MKE Physical Therapy can help. You can then schedule your initial evaluation to begin your journey toward better pain management and improved quality of life.