Is occupational or physical therapy painful?
For many patients, one of the primary objectives is pain relief. This is frequently accomplished with hands-on techniques, modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and/or heat or cold therapy. Movement often provides pain relief as well. Your occupational therapist/physical therapists will provide you with the appropriate exercises not only for pain relief but to recover range of motion, strength, and endurance. In some cases, occupational therapy/physical therapy techniques can be painful. For example, recovering shoulder range of motion after shoulder surgery may be painful. Your occupational therapist/physical therapist will utilize a variety of techniques to help maximize your treatment goals. It is important that you communicate the intensity, frequency, and duration of pain to your therapist. Without this information, it is difficult for the therapist to adjust your treatment plan.
