Physical therapy action mechanisms and effects on pain management *

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Along time, physical therapy has played an important role in the treatment of painful patients. Several neurophysiological mechanisms have been proposed to explain pain modulation via physical and cognitive behavioral approaches; however they have to be further explored by the physical therapist. This study aimed at reviewing major action mechanisms and effects of physical therapy techniques to manage pain. CONTENTS: There are studies on the action mechanisms and effects of physical therapy during pain processing stages in the nervous system. To organize information, mechanisms and theories were grouped in peripheral and central stations. Effects, however, were grouped in motor, sympathetic and hormonal systems, psychophysiological factors and placebo. CONCLUSION: Several mechanisms and effects may be influenced by physical therapy physical and cognitive behavioral techniques, thus contributing to the treatment of painful patients and helping the choice of techniques based on identified clinical mechanisms.