SERVICES   CHRONIC PAIN: Chronic pain creates both physical and psychological problems that effect whether a person can engage in meaningful activities each day.   Chronic Pain: Waverly Health Center   CHRONIC PAIN   More than 130 million Americans suffer from chronic or frequently occurring pain. Chronic pain creates both physical and psychological problems that effect whether a person can engage in meaningful activities each day. Pain can decrease a person’s strength, coordination, and independence in addition to causing stress that may lead to depression. With the help of occupational therapy, people with chronic pain can learn to manage the physical and psychological effects and lead active and productive lives. Many people with chronic pain have worked to manage it with medication, surgery, nerve stimulation or massage. What many have not yet learned is how management of daily activities and lifestyle can contribute to successful, long term coping with pain. Occupational Therapists at Taylor Therapy Associates can help identify activities or behaviors that aggravate pain, teach methods for decreasing the frequency and duration of painful episodes, and implement therapy interventions that may decrease dependence on or use of pain medications. They can also teach the client how to use adaptive equipment to decrease pain while performing tasks such as reaching, dressing, bathing, and performing household chores. Occupational Therapy may not relieve all pain, but may be just what you need to help you live a more productive and meaningful life.   © 2009-2011, Taylor Physical Therapy