Why is a physical therapist and psychologist often utilized in the initial evaluation and in the ongoing treatment plan?
In my experience, chronic pain is best treated in a multidisciplinary setting. A psychologist is helpful for treating symptoms resulting from having pain for a prolonged period, such as depressed or anxious mood, irritability, sleep problems, and/or changes in a person’s social life and work. The physical therapy evaluation helps to identify any musculoskeletal problems that are present, either as the primary cause of a person’s pain or secondary to a decrease in activity due to pain. Our center emphasizes a “hands-on” approach to physical therapy, and the patient takes an active role in their treatment through highly specified exercise and stretching. We utilize passive modalities such as ultrasound and heat only as an adjunctive treatment when necessary.
