NE Minneapolis

2112 Broadway Street NE,
Suite 195, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Coon Rapids

8770 Springbrook Dr. NW,
Suite 106, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
a

Holistic Approaches to Chronic Pain Management: A Physical Therapy Perspective

by | Feb 25, 2025 | Health Tips

physical therapist discussing treatment for chronic pain

Chronic pain can be debilitating, affecting every aspect of your life. While traditional pain management often focuses on medication, a holistic approach, especially through physical therapy, offers a more comprehensive and sustainable solution. At PRO Therapy, we believe in treating the whole person, not just the symptoms. This blog post explores how a holistic perspective in physical therapy can help you manage chronic pain effectively.

Understanding Chronic Pain:

Chronic pain is persistent pain that lasts for more than three months. It can stem from various conditions, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, injuries, and nerve damage. Unlike acute pain, which signals an injury and resolves with healing, chronic pain can linger, leading to physical and emotional distress.

The Holistic Approach: More Than Just Exercise:

A holistic approach to pain management considers the interconnectedness of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It recognizes that pain isn’t just a physical sensation; it’s influenced by stress, sleep, nutrition, and lifestyle factors. In physical therapy, this means going beyond targeted exercises and manual therapy.

Key Components of a Holistic Physical Therapy Approach:

  • Comprehensive Assessment:
    • We begin by understanding your unique pain experience, including its history, intensity, and impact on your daily life. We also assess your posture, movement patterns, and overall physical health.
  • Manual Therapy and Exercise:
    • Hands-on techniques like massage, joint mobilization, the Graston Technique, and soft tissue release can alleviate pain and improve mobility. Targeted exercises strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and restore function.
  • Pain Education and Self-Management:
    • We empower you with knowledge about your condition and teach you strategies to manage pain independently. This includes techniques like pacing activities, ergonomic adjustments, and relaxation exercises.
  • Mind-Body Connection:
    • Chronic pain and stress often coexist. We incorporate techniques like mindfulness, breathing exercises, and guided imagery to help you manage stress, reduce muscle tension, and improve pain tolerance.
  • Lifestyle Modifications:
    • We address lifestyle factors that can contribute to pain, such as poor sleep, unhealthy diet, and sedentary behavior. We provide guidance on improving sleep hygiene, adopting a balanced diet, and incorporating regular physical activity.
  • Addressing Emotional Well-being:
    • Chronic pain can lead to depression, anxiety, and social isolation. We recognize the importance of addressing these emotional factors and may collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as psychologists or counselors, to provide comprehensive care.
  • Aquatic Therapy:
    • For many patients, especially those with arthritis or other joint pain, aquatic therapy provides a low impact way to exercise and reduce pain. The buoyancy of water supports the body, allowing for greater range of motion with less discomfort.
  • Ergonomic Assessments:
    • Many chronic pains are caused or exacerbated by poor posture, or bad ergonomic setups at work or home. We can analyze your daily routines and provide advice to improve your posture and work station.

Benefits of a Holistic Approach:

  • Reduced pain intensity and frequency
  • Improved physical function and mobility
  • Enhanced emotional well-being
  • Increased self-efficacy and independence
  • Reduced reliance on medication
  • Improved sleep quality.

At PRO Therapy, we believe that a holistic approach to chronic pain management offers the most effective and sustainable path to recovery. By addressing the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of pain, we help you regain control of your life and achieve lasting relief. If you’re struggling with chronic pain, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our experienced physical therapists.

Dr. Kevin Spahr

Related Posts

Follow Us

Download Your Free Reports

Tell us where it hurts and we’ll send you our best advice and top tips in one special report…

It’s free! just click below and find the one that works best for you…

back pain and stiffness guide

Back Pain

knee pain and stiffness guide

Knee Pain

neck and shoulder pain guide

Neck Pain

Ankle and Foot Pain Guide

Ankle/Foot Pain

Hip Pain and Stiffness Guide

Hip Pain

See What Our Patients Are Saying

Read our reviews from other people like you who came to see the physical therapy team – and left much healthier and happier.
Excellent
PRO Therapy
Based on 315 reviews
Arman M.
Great place to go for quality care. Kelvyn is an excellent PT and had an answer to all my questions.
Johnnell L.
I love this place let’s start off with there communication the best when it comes to that and I feel comfortable with the environment I’m around. I feel like there getting the job done
Andrew K.
ashley M.
I’ve been dealing with plantar fasciitis for years and I thought there was no going back from the pain I felt all day everyday. Pro therapy has truly been a game-changer. From the very first visit, with Brooke she made me feel heard, supported, and hopeful. She took the time to explain my condition, tailored a treatment plan specifically for me and listen to the feed back from each visit to see what the next best thing was. Pro therapy staff been incredibly encouraging every step of the way.

The care I’ve received has been top-notch — professional, compassionate, and effective. I can already feel a huge difference in my pain levels and mobility. I genuinely look forward to my appointments because of how much relief I’ve gotten in just a handful of visits.

I Highly recommend pro therapy to anyone dealing with plantar fasciitis. They truly care about your recovery and go above and beyond to help you heal.
All in all, I am beyond satisfied with the care I’ve received with pro therapy
Greta H.
I was dealing with painful posterior tibial shin splints from running, and after just two StemWave sessions with Dr. Kevin Spahr, I noticed a significant reduction in pain. After the third session, I was running completely pain free! As a college athlete I've tried many recovery tools, but StemWave has been a game changer for me! The results were real, fast, and Dr. Kevin along with the the entire care team was knowledgeable, genuinely caring, and supportive! I would highly recommend StemWave for anyone struggling with inflammation or looking to speed up recovery! Being able to run without pain again was such a relief, and it truly meant the world to me!
Harrison E.
Started doing PT at PRO in April for some intense plantar fasciitis that I'd been experiencing for over a year and hadn't been able to remedy it on my own. Lily gave me a very effective Home Exercise Program to strengthen my arches & toes and did lots of great soft tissue / needle work in our weekly sessions. Two months later, my feet are feeling the strongest and most capable they've felt in a very long time and I can walk around & sleep without thinking about foot pain. I'd recommend PRO to anyone looking to deal with physical annoyances once and for all.
antonishia M.
Jennie is always pleasant and so helpful with any and all of my questions which makes me feel safe to come to her with anything. Dr. Kelvyn is my PT and he has been great to work with so far. Dr. Kelvyn listens to my goals and I’m excited for him to keep pushing me towards my goals of PT.
Karsten J.
I fractured 3 transverse spinal processes in November 2025 and had a C section baby 3 days later. I was in quite a bit of pain with very limited mobility, and about a month after the injury, started physical therapy to ensure I could heal well and run again. Dr. Lily helped me both heal and get my back moving again, as well as some pelvic floor exercises since even though I had a C section, I had pelvic floor pain after being pregnant. After a few months, we tapered off appointments and I have sucessfully been able to run, do yoga, lift weights, and return to normal daily life again with no pain! They were very conveniently located in NE Minneapolis near me, and had great scheduling availability. I'd go again!
Anne W.
Dr. Spahr and his team at PRO Therapy work together closely to provide state-of-the-art healing therapies that help people return to doing the activities they love best. The entire team, including the front office staff, exemplifies a model of care and professionalism that really stands out to me. I highly recommend PRO Therapy.
Andrew M.
Had a great experience, they helped me recover from a calf injury I sustained during training for a half marathon. The stretching, exercises, and therapy they provided me helped me get back on track and I was able to run my race! Would recommend to any athlete!