It seems like everyone deals with back pain or shoulder pain at some point.

In fact, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t have some form of chronic pain. This is a simple fact you’re well aware of and a simple fact that is unlikely to change anytime soon. With chronic pain conditions keeping people from living their lives to the fullest, it’s your job to make sure your equipment is up-to-date. Do you have an activator spinal adjustment device? How about functional assessment tools for your new influx of clients?

Take a brief trip through the statistics and basics below so you can always stay a step ahead of chronic pain.

Just How Bad Is Chronic Pain In The United States?

Working Americans have a lot to contend with in the average day. When they’re not burning out at astronomically high rates they’re popping painkillers and turning to heat therapy in an attempt to stay ahead of their chronic pain. Chronic inflammation affects millions of American adults — arthritis and joint diseases are probably the most common type. It’s not just an American issue, either, but a worldwide phenomenon that is expected to get worse. That activator spinal adjustment device might be one of the few things that can reverse this trend.

What Are The Most Common Forms Of Chronic Pain?

The field of physical therapy is a broad one. You’ll get one patient that’s been dealing with lower back pain for years alongside another that’s been dealing with recent whiplash from a car accident. The most common form of chronic pain today is lower back pain, hip pain, and knee pain. Arthritis, however, is starting to rise in the ranks thanks to more sedentary lifestyles and an aging population. The human body is home to more than 650 muscles, all of them working in cohesion at all times.

How Is Chronic Pain Made Worse?

The thing with chronic pain is it’s easy to make it worse. A lack of exercise can make already sore muscles knot up, leaving the individual in a bad position to sleep or move up a flight of stairs. Physicians today have determined just 10 minutes of physical activity every day can help you improve mobility and live a longer life. For those that are a little behind in this area, it’s recommended they exercise three times a week for 20 to 30 minutes. Yoga, cycling, swimming, walking, and jogging are all great options to suggest to your clients.

What Tools Help You Assess Chronic Pain?

Figuring out the root of chronic pain is essential in treating it. Anything less and you’re just providing short-term, superficial relief. Grip strength is widely considered to be a good predictor of overall health, as our strength comes from a combination of youth, vigor, and a healthy diet. Functional assessment tools come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. You can try the activator spinal adjustment device once it’s been determined what, exactly, is causing your patient’s constant stiffness.

Which Chiropractic Alignment Tools Should You Use?

Chronic pain conditions are too varied to be committed to any one technique or tool. An activator spinal adjustment device is used to adjust the vertebra little by little. When it comes to stiff and sore muscles, a deep massage or exercise regimen can help instead. For those that want a quick consultation, make sure you have an automatic strength test on hand. This can eliminate any doubts right off the bat and provide both patient and therapist with some useful information well before any therapy starts.

Chronic pain is a sad reality. Fortunately for your patients, you have more than enough useful tools to help them out.