The Key to Natural, Drug-Free Pain Relief Lies in Physical and Occupational Therapy
You’ve probably heard the news, and you’re well aware that opioids are a key factor in America’s widespread drug crisis. However, if you or a loved one suffers from chronic pain, you may be unsure how to treat the issue without relying on prescription medication.
Did you know, however, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other professional organizations recommend physical therapy over prescription opioids for chronic pain management?
Many individuals are unaware of how successful physical therapy can be at alleviating even the most persistent ailments without the need for medicines or intrusive procedures.
At Renue Physical Therapy, we’d love to show you how physical and/or occupational therapy can make you feel (and function) better than you ever have in the past.
The dangers of opioids
When consumers take over-the-counter pain relievers, there aren’t many serious health dangers.
If you’re recovering from an accident or injury, pain medicines like Advil, Tylenol, and Ibuprofen are generally safe to take in moderation.
However, if a more serious incident has left you in agonizing pain, you may be prescribed prescription-strength drugs. Understanding the differences between opioids and over-the-counter drugs is critical.
Opioids are the most commonly prescribed pain relievers in the United States. Despite this fact, these drugs can be exceedingly dangerous.
- Every year, over 2 million people in the United States become addicted to pain medications, many of which are opioids.
- Opioids are the most commonly abused prescription medication and are highly addictive.
- Approximately one-quarter of heroin addicts began their addiction as a result of prescription opioid dependency.
- Opioids are a very dangerous class of drugs. Opioids include heroin, as well as prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and others.
These facts, while disturbing, must be considered. They paint a bleak picture of prescription pain medication use in America, which experts believe has reached epidemic proportions.
You don’t have to have a history of addiction to become addicted to opioids; in fact, many people who become addicted have never had a history of drug dependency.
Physical and occupational therapists, fortunately, can help provide the same pain relief without the tremendous risk.
Physical therapy can help you manage your pain without the use of drugs, giving you the opportunity to wean yourself off opioids.
5 reasons to choose therapy over opioids
1. A physical therapist gets you out of bed and moving! According to research, exercise is one of the most effective ways to manage chronic pain. When you’re in chronic pain, it can feel downright impossible to just get out of bed, much less undertake a strenuous workout. Physical therapy can help with this.
Your physical therapist can assist you in managing your condition and target your problem areas (such as range of motion limitations, tissue tension, weakness, and incoordination). A physical therapist can also help you reduce your risk of other chronic diseases by encouraging you to exercise more and showing you which exercises are best for you. Your PT can show you how to perform exercises correctly, so you can optimize your results and lessen your risk of injury.
2. Physical therapists can use non-invasive, drug-free, and safe methods to relieve pain and inflammation. Physical therapists use techniques such as diathermy, dry needling, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and others to treat pain, muscle spasms, inflammation, and other issues.
These techniques have few to no side effects and, unlike drugs, do not cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms. They simply enhance your body’s natural healing ability (instead of just “masking” the pain). To achieve the best results, a physical therapist with extensive training can ensure that these techniques are used correctly.
3. Manual therapy promotes healing while relieving pain and tension. A physical therapist is trained in techniques such as joint mobilization and manipulation, massage, myofascial release, Active Release Techniques, and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation.
These can cause physical and physiological changes in the connective tissues, central nervous system, lymphatic system, and other areas of the body. These techniques have been shown to alleviate pain and elicit healing responses that can prevent pain from returning.
4. Physical therapy gives you the ability to be your best self. Physical therapists have a lot of face-to-face time with their patients and can learn about their fitness goals and preferences.
This ensures that patients are involved in their treatment plans, that they are well-informed about their health conditions, and that they have access to the exercises, stretches, and other lifestyle changes that will help them achieve their goals. Physical therapy is a hands-on activity that re-establishes your control over your health.
5. Physical and occupational therapy services enhance one another. When you visit a therapist for pain relief, you will not receive only one type of treatment. You’ll receive a number of services that work together to boost their overall effectiveness. What’s the final outcome? A cost-effective and all-encompassing healing journey for you!
Contact Renue Physical Therapy for natural relief!
Don’t just hide your pain; heal it at its source! We invite you to schedule an appointment at our therapy clinic today, whether your pain is the result of a sports injury, a chronic joint disorder, a stroke, or something else. Our talented and dedicated staff can help you find the safe relief you’ve been searching for.