Dr. Vaishali Suri (P.T.)
Chronic Pain Management: Physiotherapy in Faridabad
Chronic pain — defined as pain lasting more than 3 months beyond the expected healing time. Affects 20–30% of adults in India and is one of the most complex and disabling conditions physiotherapists treat.
Unlike acute pain that signals tissue damage, chronic pain involves changes in the nervous system that maintain and amplify pain signals even after the original injury has healed. Modern physiotherapy for chronic pain goes beyond treating the body part — it addresses the whole person, using pain neuroscience education, graded exercise, and behavioural strategies.
At Realign Rehab Clinic, NIT-5, Faridabad, our expert physiotherapists provide personalised, evidence-based care. Serving NIT, Green Field Colony, Ballabhgarh, Sector 21–82, and across Faridabad. Contact us: +91 9818185589.
Research Insight: A thorough 2022 meta-analysis in PAIN Journal confirmed that physiotherapy combining pain neuroscience education with graded exercise produces clearly better outcomes for chronic musculoskeletal pain than passive treatment — reducing disability by 35–40% and pain intensity by 30% at 6 months.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Central sensitisation: nervous system amplification of pain signals after prolonged pain
- Psychological factors: anxiety, depression, and catastrophising amplifying pain experience
- Sleep disruption: inadequate sleep dramatically lowers pain thresholds
- Physical deconditioning: avoiding movement worsening the pain cycle
- Inflammatory conditions maintaining peripheral sensitisation
- Occupational and social stressors increasing allostatic load
- Previous acute pain inadequately treated, transitioning to chronic
Signs and Symptoms
- Persistent pain beyond 3 months, often disproportionate to tissue findings
- Widespread pain sensitivity (allodynia): pain from normally non-painful stimuli
- Fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive difficulties ('brain fog')
- Activity avoidance and reduced functional capacity
- Anxiety and depression — extremely common in chronic pain
- Multiple failed previous treatments and increasing medication burden
The paradigm shift in chronic pain is understanding that the pain is real but the brain has learned to produce it even when there is no ongoing tissue damage. Education about this process — explaining why the nervous system has become sensitised — is profoundly therapeutic.
Patients who understand why they hurt are noticeably more able to engage with graded exercise and functional recovery.
- ✦ Chronic pain affects 20–30% of adults in India
- ✦ Pain neuroscience education reduces pain catastrophising by 40%
- ✦ Graded exercise therapy reduces chronic pain disability by 35–40% at 6 months
- ✦ Central sensitisation is present in 60–70% of chronic musculoskeletal pain cases
Physiotherapy Treatment at Realign Rehab, Faridabad
- Pain neuroscience education: explaining central sensitisation to reduce fear-avoidance
- Graded exposure: systematically reintroducing avoided activities
- Graded activity and exercise: building fitness without triggering pain flares
- Manual therapy: addressing peripheral contributors (joint dysfunction, muscle tension)
- Sleep hygiene and pain management strategies
- Breathing and relaxation techniques for autonomic nervous system modulation
- Goal-setting: functional goals rather than pain elimination as primary target
- Multidisciplinary coordination: with psychologist, GP, and pain specialist
Recovery Programme
Phase 1 — Pain Relief (Weeks 1–3): Manual therapy, electrotherapy, and gentle movement to reduce inflammation and restore baseline function.
Phase 2 — Strengthening (Weeks 3–8): Progressive resistance training, neuromuscular re-education, and functional retraining.
Phase 3 — Return to Activity (Weeks 8–16): Task-specific conditioning and a home programme to prevent recurrence.
Why Choose Realign Rehab Clinic, Faridabad?
Led by Dr. Vaishali Suri (BPT), Realign Rehab delivers one-on-one physiotherapy with advanced electrotherapy, manual therapy, and home visits.
Located at NIT-5, Faridabad — accessible from Green Field Colony, Sector 21–82, Ballabhgarh, and the Delhi border.
- Personalised plans — no generic protocols
- Evidence-based rehabilitation aligned with international guidelines
- Home visits for post-operative and mobility-limited patients
- Flexible appointments: Mon–Sat, 9 AM – 7 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain is pain lasting more than 3 months beyond the expected healing period. It involves changes in the nervous system (central sensitisation) that maintain pain even after tissue damage has resolved.
It requires a different approach than acute pain.
Can physiotherapy help chronic pain?
Yes — physiotherapy combining pain neuroscience education, graded exercise, and manual therapy is the most evidence-based treatment for chronic pain. It reduces pain intensity and disability more effectively than passive treatments or medication alone.
What is central sensitisation?
Central sensitisation is when the nervous system becomes hypersensitive, amplifying pain signals from stimuli that would not normally cause pain. It is a key driver of chronic pain and responds to graded exercise and pain education.
Is exercise safe when I have chronic pain?
Yes — graded exercise is one of the most effective treatments for chronic pain. The key is starting at a very low intensity and progressing slowly.
Avoiding exercise worsens central sensitisation and deconditioning.
How long does chronic pain physiotherapy take?
Chronic pain management is typically a longer process than acute injury rehabilitation — usually 3–6 months of regular physiotherapy, followed by an independent self-management programme. Progress is measured by functional improvement, not pain reduction alone.
Book Your Consultation
Contact Realign Rehab Clinic today:
- 📍 NIT-5, Faridabad (near Green Field Colony, Ballabhgarh Road)
- 📞 +91 9818185589
- 🕑 Mon–Sat: 9 AM – 7 PM