In order to break this cycle, the focus should be to reduce or minimize the source of pain. The key is to understand that pain from the initial injury is not the cause. If is residual pain that continues to feet the cycle. Once the injured tissue has healed, the pain we experience is the result of dysfunction i.e.: muscle guarding and limited mobility, that is the product of the pain cycle. The focus of treatment now should be to apply treatment the interrupts the continuation of this cycle.
There are many physical therapies that can be applied to help break this cycle including: heat, ice, massage, electrical stimulation therapies etc. However there are two treatments that are the most effective and that is chiropractic adjustments and specific, active exercise therapies.
Research has demonstrated that chiropractic adjustments have a significant impact on the nerves of the body, both at the previously injured site and on the central nervous system. When an adjustment is performed, the quick force triggers different, larger, nerve fibers than the pain fibers. Putting it simply, it overrides the pain sensation. Additionally, the nerve stimulation travels to the brain and triggers a response that results in a relaxation of the muscles that were previously guarded.
Specific exercise therapy works to not only to increase mobility and muscle strength, it works with your brain to “reprogram” proper movement. This in conjunction with chiropractic care is the best options to stop the muscle guarding and break the pain cycle.
