Physical therapy for chronic pain conditions—A novel approach using mind–body connection

The treatment of chronic pain conditions continue to present a challenge to the medical field. Physical therapy treatment needs to approach the management of chronic pain differently than the approach used to resolve acute pain. Patients with chronic pain often have many factors that have perpetuated the pain condition. These factors, as well as pain itself, influence their ability to reactivate and perform functional daily activities. Physical therapists can begin to address some of the factors, including fear and deconditioning, by building confidence and body awareness in a self-care model including a slow graduated reactivation program. There is evidence that patients with chronic pain conditions have altered motor control that may be influencing reoccurrences and possible flares of pain condition. Guiding patients through ritualistic body awareness and posture corrections and gentle reactivation activity may be 1 way to improve motor control and build the patient's confidence to make decisions about daily activity based on knowledge of their body not based on fear of movement or reinjury.