Are you taking pain meds to manage your pain? If so, it just may not be a good choice. “It seems like every time you turn on the news there is another story about the opioid epidemic gripping the country. There is good reason for the panic. In 2016 alone, 116 people died each day from opioid-related drug overdoses. Some 11.5 million Americans misused prescription painkillers in some way, costing an estimated $504 million in economic costs. Some researchers even feel that many people who would otherwise be able to work are sidelined because they would fail a drug test. As mind-blowing as these numbers are, to a person who uses prescription pain medication for pain relief, opioids may seem like the only option.” The other option is physical therapy. Give us a call today to learn how physical therapy can help you ditch those pain meds.
What Is Pain?
Pain is a nerve signal from the brain that something hurts. When you have pain, the body naturally creates opioids to manage it. But, if the pain is severe or chronic, the brain can’t produce enough opioids to keep up with the demand. Prescription meds mimic the body’s natural chemicals to relieve pain, but do not assist the body in healing.
Causes and Symptoms of Pain
Pain can be due to injury, trauma or disease. You may incur back pain due to lifting a heavy object, participating in a sport, a car accident or a disease like arthritis. The symptoms of pain can range from mild and moderate to severe. Pain can occur when you’re doing nothing or are physically active. You may find yourself resting a lot, not participating in your regular activities or fearful of the pain. You may even have to call in sick at work. Without a doubt, pain has many negative consequences.
How Physical Therapy Can Help Pain
Physical therapy not only helps alleviate pain, it addresses the root cause of pain. A physical therapist performs a comprehensive evaluation, specific tests and reviews your medical history. Through advanced diagnostic procedures, this healthcare professional will find the source of your pain and implement a treatment plan that is geared for mobility and long-term health. Even better, physical therapy is a drug-free alternative to pain meds.
A physical therapist utilizes both passive and active treatments to address pain. Passive treatments may include manual therapy, hot and cold therapy, ultrasound, electric stimulation, water therapy and soft tissue mobilization. All of these passive treatments increase blood flow, reduce pain and enhance the body’s healing process.
Active treatments include specific exercises and stretching. You’ll engage in specific exercises during sessions and at home. Stretching helps flexibility, movement and range of motion. With active treatments, you’ll be building muscle tissue to better support your body.
If you’re suffering with pain, be sure to contact us today to make an appointment. This is your first step to leading a pain-free life without pain meds. We’ve helped many other people with pain and can help you, too.
