Are you struggling with nagging pain? Think for a second about how your symptoms affect your daily life. Do you have a hard time getting out of bed or climbing stairs? Do you find yourself feeling stressed, distracted, and depressed while at work? Maybe you wake up in the middle of the night or struggle to fall asleep because you’re in so much pain. If you’re like many of the 50 million Americans dealing with chronic pain, you might even struggle with something as simple as getting dressed.
There’s good news on the horizon for all of the pain sufferers out there: physical therapy can help. Our physical therapist team urges you not to lose hope in the face of chronic pain. Decades of research show physical therapy is a natural, safe, and effective way to alleviate pain and improve function for people living with conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and more. Call our clinic today to learn more about how we can help!
The problem with over-the-counter pain medication
We’ve all been in pain before and gone looking in our medicine cabinets for quick relief, whether it comes in the form of aspirin or ibuprofen. The truth is that many people would prefer to slap a brief “band-aid” solution over their pain, rather than search for other methods of management.
Pain-relieving drugs are among the most popular (and profitable) types of medications within the pharmaceutical industry. While medications are sometimes appropriate in a comprehensive pain management plan, the overuse of pain medications is creating significant problems for many Americans.
Did you know that over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen can cause potentially serious side effects including liver damage—especially if they are taken all the time for chronic pain? Prescription medications such as opioids and pain killers are also highly addictive and increase a person’s risk for drug dependency, tolerance, withdrawal, overdose, and abuse.
The problem with opioid medications is so severe in our country that it has been declared by some health officials as an epidemic. At least 130 Americans die each day of an overdose on prescription or illicit opioids including hydrocodone, oxycodone, heroin, and fentanyl. This is a horrifying but true statistic.
Besides all of these serious issues, both over-the-counter and prescription pain medications can also come with several unpleasant side effects. These include
- Constipation
- Nausea/vomiting
- Dizziness
These are all signs and symptoms which can be just as disruptive as the original pain condition you’re trying to manage. Thankfully, many individuals can decrease or eliminate their pain without the use of medication.
How can physical therapy provide real pain- relief?
Many people are getting fed up with costly drugs that are ineffective and problematic, and are turning to physical therapy as a way to improve their pain once and for all. If you’re thinking of making a change in your life or switching from pain-killers to pain relief, here are a few things a physical therapist can do to help!
- Provide education about pain origins, so you have a better understanding of the neurological, psychological, and physical elements of your condition.
- Corrective exercises and stretches that increase strength, endurance, mobility, and postural awareness—all of which can correct underlying factors contributing to your pain.
- Manual therapies such as joint mobilizations and massage to improve circulation and alleviate stress and pain.
- Non-invasive pain modalities such as electrical stimulation and cold laser therapy. These will trigger your healing at a cellular level, reduce inflammation, and alleviate physical and mental tension.
- Provide education about at-home pain relief strategies like deep breathing, visualization, and body mechanics training to allow you to feel more in control of your pain and avoid worsening the issue.
A physical therapist’s goal is to be able to help you relieve, resolve, and understand your pain. He or she can also help you to regain control of your health and support you as you make lifestyle changes that promote a healthier, stronger, leaner, and more comfortable body.
During your initial consultation, one of our therapists will do a comprehensive evaluation of your condition and ask you questions about your medical history, pain symptoms, or any movement restrictions you might have. From there, they will create a treatment plan for you that will involve exercises, stretches, or include the use of assistive devices to treat your pain symptoms and the underlying cause of your condition.
Are you ready to learn more about the benefits of physical therapy?
Unlike pain medications, the goal of physical therapy treatment isn’t just to mask your pain. The goal is to eliminate it once and for all. Contact Walker Physical Therapy today; our physical therapist staff is here to offer a solution to your pain and help you make the best recovery possible.
Sources:
- https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis
- https://www.who.int/medicines/areas/priority_medicines/Ch6_24LBP.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4534717/
Tags: Opioids, physical health, physical therapists, Rehabilitation, aches and pains, joint pain, nutrition, physical therapy, chronic pain, physical activity, Natural Pain Relief, Natural Treatment