If you’ve been dealing with pain for a while, you probably already know how frustrating it can be. You might have good days and bad days, or find that something that helped at first doesn’t seem to make the same difference anymore. When pain starts affecting how you work, exercise, sleep, or simply get through your day, it can be difficult to know what to try next.
September is Pain Awareness Month, making it a good time to take a closer look at chronic pain and the different ways it can be managed. According to the Government of Canada, nearly 8 million Canadians live with chronic pain [1].
At Peak Valley Active Health in Langley, we believe managing chronic pain requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. Our chiropractors, physiotherapists, registered massage therapists, and acupuncturist bring different areas of expertise together to help you understand what may be contributing to your pain and develop a treatment plan that fits your needs and goals.
Why Chronic Pain Can Be Difficult to Treat
When pain sticks around, it is not always as simple as finding one cause and treating it. Chronic pain can be influenced by several factors, including previous injuries, repetitive movements, muscle tension, posture, stress, and changes in the way your nervous system responds to pain.
For example, you may continue to experience back, neck, or shoulder pain long after an original injury has healed. Tight muscles or reduced mobility can also change the way you move, which may place additional stress on other areas of the body and contribute to ongoing discomfort.
Because so many factors can play a role, chronic pain may not respond to one type of treatment alone. Looking at the bigger picture can help identify the different factors contributing to your symptoms and create a more complete approach to managing your pain.
How a Multidisciplinary Approach to Pain Management Works
A multidisciplinary approach means bringing together different types of healthcare professionals to address chronic pain from multiple perspectives. Rather than relying on one treatment to do everything, different therapies can complement one another based on your symptoms and goals.
At Peak Valley Active Health, our Langley team includes chiropractors, physiotherapists, registered massage therapists, and an acupuncturist. Depending on your needs, your care may include several types of treatment as part of a coordinated plan.
Chiropractic care can focus on joint mobility and movement, while physiotherapy can help improve strength, mobility, and physical function through exercise and hands-on treatment.
Registered massage therapy can help reduce muscle tension and support comfortable movement. Acupuncture uses sterile needles at specific points on the body and may be included as part of a broader pain management plan.
The goal is to bring these different areas of care together when appropriate, rather than treating each symptom in isolation.
Building a Treatment Plan Around Your Goals
Since everyone experiences chronic pain differently, your treatment plan should be specific to you.
Your care at Peak Valley Active Health begins with an assessment of your symptoms, health history, movement, and daily activities. This gives your practitioners a better understanding of what may be contributing to your pain and how it is affecting your everyday life.
From there, your team can recommend treatments and exercises based on your needs and what you want to get back to doing. That might mean returning to your favourite sport, getting through a workday more comfortably, sleeping better, or simply moving through your daily routine with less discomfort. Your treatment plan can also change as you progress. As your symptoms, strength, mobility, and abilities change, your practitioners can adjust your care to continue supporting your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Helps With Chronic Lower Back Pain?
Chronic lower back pain may benefit from a combination of treatments, including targeted exercise, manual therapy, chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and registered massage therapy.
The right approach depends on your symptoms and what may be contributing to your pain. An individual assessment can help determine which treatments may be most appropriate for you.
Is Acupuncture Effective for Chronic Pain Management?
Acupuncture may be used as part of a broader approach to managing chronic pain. It involves inserting sterile needles at specific points on the body and is often combined with other treatments, such as physiotherapy, to support overall care.
What Is a Multidisciplinary Approach to Pain Management?
A multidisciplinary approach brings together different healthcare professionals to address chronic pain from multiple perspectives.
At Peak Valley Active Health, this may include chiropractors, physiotherapists, registered massage therapists, and an acupuncturist. Working with different practitioners can provide a more well-rounded approach to managing your symptoms and improving how you move and function.
How Do Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Work Together for Chronic Pain?
Chiropractic care can focus on joint mobility and movement, while physiotherapy can help build strength, improve mobility, and address movement patterns. Depending on your needs, combining these approaches may provide support for both how your body moves and how it functions during everyday activities.
Do you work with non-athletic kids too?
Absolutely. Children do not need to play competitive sports to benefit from movement-focused care. Our goal is to help every child feel more comfortable and confident in their body, whether that is on the field, in the classroom, or at home.
What Can I Expect at a Pain Management Clinic in Langley, BC?
At Peak Valley Active Health, you can expect an initial assessment, a personalized treatment plan, and access to several types of care in one clinic. Your practitioners can work together to understand your symptoms and determine which combination of treatments may best support your needs and goals. Your plan can then be adjusted as you progress.
Find Real Relief
Living with chronic pain can be frustrating, particularly when you have tried different treatments without getting the lasting relief you hoped for. Sometimes, the answer is not another single treatment, but a more complete approach, contact our to team today learn more and get started.
Reference
[1] Government of Canada. Chronic pain. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/chronic-pain.html