Physical Therapy and Chronic Pain

Incidence of chronic pain is becoming a worsening problem in America, with more than 14% of the population living with daily pain symptoms.  Usually, the first treatment of the condition is through the use of prescription of opioids (commonly OxyContin, Vicodin).  Many health care providers wonder if this is really the best way to treat patients.

knee-support

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently published guidelines that urge healthcare professionals to weigh the risks and benefits of certain therapies. This guideline concluded that non-opioid drug options such as physical therapy and weight loss programs for knee osteoarthritis patients should be attempted first.

(Click HERE to Download our New Knee Report to teach you how to deal with chronic knee pain)

One of the reasons for the expansion of this guideline is the increase in opioid addiction and overdose, but also a response to the increased rate of patients who see positive results from these other treatments: “There is high-quality evidence that exercise therapy (a prominent modality in physical therapy) for hip or knee osteoarthritis reduces pain and improves function immediately after treatment and that the improvements are sustained for at least 2-6 months.”

Do you, or a loved one, suffer from some type of chronic pain?  Physical Therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment!  Physical Therapists can evaluate and treat you without the need for a physician’s referral.  (This may vary due to certain insurance companies).

To schedule a FREE Discovery Visit to help determine your issue, CLICK HERE!

Andrew Vertson

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