Chronic Pain Treatment in Reno
Find long-term relief through movement, strength, and expert care
Chronic pain can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to define your life. At Strength in Motion, we specialize in helping people just like you move beyond pain and back to living fully.
Both of us—Ryan and Jessie—have personal experience with chronic pain. Ryan’s journey with chronic neck and back pain led to a career change into physical therapy. Jessie navigated chronic hip pain and multiple surgeries before successfully returning to dance through movement-based rehab. We understand how discouraging it can feel when pain persists—and how empowering the right care can be.
What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting longer than 3 months. It can affect the neck, back, hips, shoulders, or virtually any area of the body. Unlike acute injuries, chronic pain is complex—often involving the nervous system, sleep, movement patterns, beliefs about pain, and past experiences.
It’s important to know that chronic pain is real—but it is also treatable. You’re not broken, and your body is not stuck this way.
The Problem with Chronic Pain in the U.S.
The United States has some of the highest rates of chronic pain and opioid use in the world, despite access to advanced medical imaging and interventions. Many patients are prescribed medication without being given tools to address the root causes of pain.
But research shows there’s a better way.
Our Approach: Restore Function, Not Just Mask Symptoms
At Strength in Motion, we take a whole-body, evidence-based approach to chronic pain. This includes:
Personalized strength training
Pilates-based movement rehab
Manual therapy to restore motion
Education about pain science
Emphasis on sleep, stress, and recovery
Why Exercise Works for Chronic Pain
Movement is medicine—especially for persistent pain. Research shows that exercise improves pain thresholds, reduces fear, and enhances your brain’s ability to modulate pain.
- Gurevich et al. (2008) highlighted the role of the central nervous system in chronic pain and how it can adapt positively with exercise and education.
- Koltyn et al. (2014) showed that resistance exercise reduces pain sensitivity in people with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
- Saracoglu et al. (2022) found that a structured exercise program significantly reduced pain and improved function in adults with long-term pain.
We also incorporate the findings of Puentedura & Flynn (2016), who emphasize the role of patient education in reducing fear and catastrophizing—two major contributors to pain persistence.
The Role of Sleep in Pain Recovery
Sleep and pain are closely linked. Poor sleep increases sensitivity to pain and decreases healing capacity. Studies like Wood et al. (2019) show that improving sleep can reduce pain intensity and boost recovery.
That’s why we often address sleep hygiene and recovery strategies as part of your care plan.
You Are Not Your MRI
Chronic pain often comes with a confusing diagnosis or scary imaging findings. But scans don’t always tell the full story. Many people have disc bulges, arthritis, or other “abnormalities” on imaging—even without pain.
What matters more is how your body functions—and what it’s capable of doing, not what shows up on an MRI.
Conditions We Treat
We help people manage and overcome a variety of chronic pain conditions, including:
Pain after surgery
Fibromyalgia
Hip or shoulder pain
Chronic joint pain
Nerve-related pain
Whiplash-associated disorders
Pain with dizziness or headaches
Ready to Take the First Step?
Chronic pain is complex, but with the right team and the right tools, you can take back control of your body.
At Strength in Motion in Reno, Nevada, we specialize in helping people with persistent pain return to movement, activity, and a more fulfilling life.
Schedule your evaluation today and let’s get started on a plan tailored to you.
References
- Gurevich, M., Kohn, P. M., & Davis, C. (2008). Exercise-induced analgesia and the role of the central nervous system in chronic pain. Journal of Pain Research, 1, 67–74.
- Koltyn, K. F., Brellenthin, A. G., Cook, D. B., Sehgal, N., & Hillard, C. (2014). Mechanisms of exercise-induced hypoalgesia. Journal of Pain, 15(12), 1294–1304.
- Puentedura, E. J., & Flynn, T. W. (2016). Use of spinal manipulative therapy and exercise in the treatment of chronic low back pain: A case report. Manual Therapy, 21, 255–260.
- Wood, K., Quadrado, F., Gosselin, N., & Lavigne, G. J. (2019). Sleep and pain: A relationship still full of questions. Pain, 160(Suppl 1), S13–S17.
- Saracoglu, I., Emre, T. Y., Cengiz, M., et al. (2022). The effectiveness of supervised exercise programs in chronic musculoskeletal pain: A randomized controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation, 36(2), 223–231.
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