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    • D.C. 1015 18th St.
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D.C. 1015 18th St.
Address
1015 18th St., NW Suite 300 Washington, D.C. 20036
Contact Numbers
Phone
202-835-2222
Fax
202-969-1798
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Germantown
Address
20410 Observation Dr Suite 102 Germantown, MD 20876
Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Contact Numbers
Phone
301-456-0086
Fax
301-456-0085
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Hand Therapy at Dupont
Address
1015 18th Street NW Suite 400 Washington, D.C. 20036
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Mon - Thu: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Fri: 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Contact Numbers
Phone
202-827-8317
Fax
202-659-8724
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Navy Yard 300 M St.
Address
300 M St. SE Suite 325 Washington, D.C. 20003
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Monday thru Thrusday - 7:00AM to 4:00PM Friday- 7:00AM to 2:00 PM
Contact Numbers
Phone
202-900-2245
Fax
202-900-2249
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Physical Therapy at Dupont
Address
1015 18th Street NW Suite 400 Washington, D.C. 20036
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Mon - Thu: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Fri: 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Contact Numbers
Phone
202-827-8317
Fax
202-659-8724
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Physical Therapy at Germantown
Address
20680 Seneca Meadows Pkwy Suite 216 Germantown, Maryland 20876
Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 9 am - 4 pm
Contact Numbers
Phone
(240) 981-6060
(301) 337-8989
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Physical Therapy at Navy Yard
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300 M Street SE Suite 325 Washington, D.C. 20003
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Monday thru Thrusday - 7:00AM to 4:00PM Friday- 7:00AM to 2:00 PM
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202-900-2245
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202-900-2249
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    • Marc Danziger, M.D., F.A.A.O.S.
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    • Noah Raizman, M.D.
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    • Benjamin E. Stein, M.D.
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    • Lauren George, PA-C
    • Margaret Shea, PA-C
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March 4, 2021

Understanding Pain

Chronic pain is a major health and economic problem here in the United States. Prevalence rates of people experiencing chronic pain are high and increasing. Chronic pain, also called persistent pain, is defined as pain that persists past the normal time of tissue healing (typically 4 - 6 weeks) and/or when the pain lasts for 3-6 months or longer. Chronic pain can be caused by ongoing tissue damage, such as osteoarthritis. However, there are instances where the persistence of pain cannot be explained as the result of tissue damage or an obvious anatomic defect.  In cases such as these, there is evidence that individuals with chronic pain have an abnormal regulation of pain signals within their central nervous system; their nervous system becomes sensitized.

Pain begins when the body responds to a stimulus or action (ie. touching a hot stove). This activates sensory receptors in our skin. These receptors send messages via nerve fibers to the spinal cord and then onto the brain. The sensation of pain is registered, information is processed, and the pain is perceived. If there is repetitive activation of these sensory receptors, they take on a higher degree of readiness and become more sensitized. This increase in sensitivity to the nervous system causes a reduction in the normal pain threshold. This means that pain can be felt in response to stimuli that are not normally painful. 

There are techniques for helping to reverse sensitization of the nervous system called modulation. Modulation of the pain signals to the brain is important to reset the pain threshold to a more normal level. Meditation and a gradual increase in physical activity are a few techniques that can help decrease sensitization and the effects of chronic pain. Physical Therapy with an emphasis on exercise, is designed to help reduce sensitization, along with helping the patient gain a better understanding of their individual pain triggers. All of these interventions and techniques are designed to influence and reduce the factors that increase an individual’s pain levels. 


Don’t let nagging pain or injury hold you back. At the Office of Orthopaedic Medicine & Surgery, we are committed to delivering the best in comprehensive medical care in Washington, DC.

Call us today at 
(202) 835-2222 or request an appointment online.

The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics is redefining the way musculoskeletal care is delivered across the region with locations throughout Maryland, DC, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

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