Intervention
Barriers and facilitators (sometimes called "contextual determinants") are factors that make it harder or easier to implement physical therapy for chronic pain. These factors span multiple levels. Click the buttons on the left to read more about common barriers and facilitators for physical therapy for chronic pain. In addition, view the RASC guides on Contextual Determinants Affecting Implementation and the Inventory of Factors Affecting Successful Implementation and Sustainment (IFASIS) to learn practical ways to assess these constructs.
Physical therapy interventions are supported by a body of literature demonstrating effectiveness and can be utilized in combination with other treatments as part of a larger pain management care plan.
Barriers
Patients may perceive PT recommendations (e.g., home exercises or therapeutic devices) as difficult to understand, recall, use, or implement, which can limit adoption.
PT is often delivered across a treatment plan of multiple visits lasting multiple weeks. Patients may have difficulty with this schedule, which can negatively impact meaningful engagement in PT.
Facilitators
PT offers a range of treatment options and approaches that can be tailored to a person’s specific needs, supported by high-quality evidence.
PT is often offered as one component of a treatment plan for a patient’s condition, in conjunction with other nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions. When patients perceive a clear and meaningful benefit of PT over other practices (e.g., improved patient outcomes, increased efficiency, cost savings), they may be more likely to adopt it.