While there are a variety of reasons as to why people seek out medical treatment, one of the most driving forces is pain.
Pain brings people in. Pain can be disruptive. Pain can be annoying. Pain can be painful. While opioids can be used to effectively treat pain, they may also present a new problem: addiction. Opioids are so addictive that the U.S. has now found itself in the midst of an opioid crisis.
Why Opioids are Harmful
So just how rampant is the opioid epidemic? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources reports that 11.4 million people that have been prescribed opioids wound up misusing their prescription. In spite of the associated risks, doctors still seem quick to dole out potentially addictive prescriptions to treat patients’ pain, with over 214 million prescriptions being written for opioid pain medication in 2016 alone.
Addiction is incredibly hard to treat. It tears people and their families apart. While patients may originally seek out the use of opioids to treat their pain, it can arguably cause even more pain in the long run.
Solving Pain without Opioids
Physical therapy can be used to treat pain without having to resort to medication. Physical Therapists are experts in movements, meaning we have the skills to not only look at how a person is moving but recognize how movement patterns can contribute to their pain. We take this information to set up a treatment plan using a combination of manual treatment, exercise prescription, and education to reduce patients’ pain so they can get back to the activities they love.
When an individual understands the reason behind their pain and is given the tools to help take back control of their body, it can be incredibly powerful. Physical therapy for pain reduction can also be more effective, have longer lasting results, and cost less than using pills to treat pain.
Take Control of Your Pain with Physical Therapy
If you are experiencing pain and haven’t yet seen a physical therapist, SetPT can help you improve your quality of life without the use of addictive pills. During our one-on-one physical therapy sessions, we can assess what is going on to help you get back on track without the need for opioids. Contact us today to set up an appointment so we can work together to find a healthy, long-lasting solution to your pain.
