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Living with chronic or acute pain can feel overwhelming—impacting not only physical health but also emotional well-being and quality of life. When seeking relief, patients often find themselves at a crossroads: Should they pursue pain management or physical therapy? According to Jordan Sudberg, a highly respected pain management specialist, the answer is not always straightforward.
Each path offers distinct benefits, and the right treatment often depends on the specific condition, severity of pain, and patient goals. In this blog post, Dr. Sudberg offers valuable insight into how these approaches differ, how they overlap, and how to determine which may be right for you.
Understanding Pain Management
Pain management refers to a broad range of medical strategies designed to reduce or control pain. This can include medications, interventional procedures (such as injections or nerve blocks), and innovative therapies like regenerative medicine or electrical stimulation.
Jordan Sudberg emphasizes that pain management isn’t about “masking” the pain but helping patients regain function and improve quality of life.
“Pain is not just a physical symptom—it affects mood, sleep, and even the immune system,” explains Dr. Sudberg. “Our goal in pain management is to address pain holistically, reduce suffering, and restore function.”
Patients with conditions such as nerve damage, herniated discs, arthritis, post-surgical pain, or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) may benefit from pain management. The focus is often on precision-based treatments that target the root of the discomfort while minimizing side effects.
Exploring Physical Therapy
On the other hand, physical therapy (PT) involves exercises, stretches, and hands-on techniques guided by trained therapists to improve mobility, strength, and body mechanics. It is typically used to rehabilitate injuries, correct muscular imbalances, and restore physical function.
“Physical therapy can be extremely effective, especially for mechanical pain,” says Dr. Sudberg. “When pain is due to poor posture, joint dysfunction, or muscle weakness, PT addresses the core issues and helps prevent the pain from coming back.”
Common conditions treated with PT include lower back pain, post-surgical recovery, joint stiffness, sports injuries, and repetitive strain conditions like tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Pain Management or Physical Therapy—How Do You Choose?
Jordan Sudberg encourages patients to think beyond either/or and instead look at their specific diagnosis and goals. Here’s how he breaks it down:
1. Severity and Type of Pain
- If your pain is severe, constant, or nerve-related (e.g., sciatica or neuropathy), pain management may be a priority to gain control quickly.
- If your pain is related to motion, posture, or muscle imbalance, physical therapy could be more beneficial in the long-term correction of the issue.
2. Underlying Cause
Pain management is especially helpful when the source of pain isn’t easily resolved through movement or exercise—such as degenerative disc disease or chronic inflammation. PT, however, is ideal when healing is possible through movement and strengthening.
3. Recovery Stage
- Acute pain: Pain management may be more useful initially, particularly post-injury or post-surgery.
- Recovery phase: Physical therapy becomes crucial once the inflammation subsides and movement is possible.
4. Patient Preference and Goals
Dr. Sudberg also reminds patients that personal goals matter. “Some patients want to reduce their reliance on medication, while others want to return to sports or daily activities. We work together to build a plan that meets their expectations.”
The Case for Combination Therapy
In many cases, Dr. Jordan Sudberg recommends a combined approach. Pain management can make it easier for a patient to participate in physical therapy by reducing pain to a tolerable level. In turn, physical therapy can extend the benefits of medical pain interventions by strengthening the body and improving function.
“Neither option has to be exclusive,” Dr. Sudberg points out. “By combining treatments, we not only address pain but also build resilience and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.”
Final Thoughts
Choosing between pain management and physical therapy isn’t a decision you have to make alone. With the guidance of experts like Jordan Sudberg, patients can receive a comprehensive evaluation and a tailored treatment plan.
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or simply trying to move better without pain, understanding your options is the first step. As Dr. Sudberg puts it: “The best treatment is the one that treats you—your pain, your goals, and your life.”
