This demand for pain-management drugs has caused the opioid crisis we’re all too familiar with today. Opioids are both dangerous and addictive when taken for extended periods of time or in large amounts. Because of this, many Americans are understandably looking for safer pain relief alternatives and physical therapist are professionals who can help.
According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, approximately 100 million Americans live with chronic pain. So, if you are living with chronic pain, or pain lasting three months or longer, you are not alone.
Unfortunately, that also means that the dependency on prescription medications is continuously growing. In the year 2013, doctors across the U.S. prescribed nearly a quarter of a billion opioid prescriptions – that’s roughly a bottle per person in the United States.
Physical therapy is a natural, safe, and non-invasive way to treat chronic pain. To learn more about how physical therapy can help you find relief, without the need for dangerous pain-management drugs, contact us today.
The 5 benefits of physical therapy for chronic pain
Our physical therapists are mobility specialists who are ready to help you with your chronic pain symptoms. They will design a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs in order to give you with the most effective passive and active therapy treatments for your disease.
Physical therapy has numerous advantages; nevertheless, the following are the top five:
1. Better physical function
Participating in physical therapy is an engaging process that can inspire you to take a more active role in your pain management. Physical therapy sessions last anywhere from 30-60 minutes, allowing you to work closely with your therapist to achieve your goals. At the end of the day, physical therapy is the only natural, risk-free, and active method of pain relief, providing long-lasting effects.
2. A treatment plan catered to YOUR needs alone
In addition to passive treatments, your physical therapist will design an active exercise program for you that is tailored to your individual healing needs. Physical activity can dramatically reduce pain while also reducing swelling, enhancing range of motion, aiding healing, and boosting general strength and endurance.
3. Safe, conservative treatments.
Some common treatments that physical therapists provide include massage, ultrasound, joint mobilization, electrical nerve stimulation, and diathermy. These are all natural treatments that have a very low risk of side effects, especially when compared to other methods of pain relief, such as surgery and medication.
4. Treatments supported by credible medical professionals.
Rigorous study and strong research are just two of the many ways that the successes of physical therapy have been proven. These studies have provided credible evidence toward physical therapy treatments, illustrating how they can significantly reduce a vast number of pain-related conditions. The implementation of care backed by scientific research allows physical therapists to greatly improve their patient outcomes.
5. Relief that targets the source of the pain
Physical therapy’s success is due in part to the fact that it reaches the root of the problem rather than simply hiding it. Pills may be simpler to swallow for pain relief, but their effectiveness is fleeting. Many drugs’ effects only last 12 to 24 hours, so you’ll have to keep popping tablets if you want to keep feeling better. It essentially hides the discomfort while failing to address the underlying issue.
At your first consultation, your physical therapist will conduct a complete assessment to establish the source of your pain and the most effective treatment options. Physical therapy addresses the underlying cause of the problem in order to provide long-term relief, whereas medicine simply provides temporary relief.
Are you ready to discover the benefits of physical therapy?
There’s no guarantee when it comes to taking medication to quell the effects of a painful chronic condition. Physical therapy is a much safer bet if you’re looking for a healthy way to return to a life free of constant discomfort.
Are you living with pain? Are you looking for a natural way to treat your pain? If so, look no further. Contact us today and we can help you get the treatment you need so you can live a pain-free life, without the risks of opioids!
