How Physical Therapy Can Help Reduce Opioid Abuse
Can you guess the most common reasons people seek health care?
If you guessed that it's because of pain that they are experiencing, you are correct. Unfortunately, one of the most common ways that this is dealt with is via prescribed opioids. In 2017 this problem became extreme and the US declared the opioid crisis a “public health emergency.” The numbers of people abusing and overdosing on prescription pain medications has seen a dramatic increase between 2013-2017, and it is considered to be a national epidemic. In 2017, the CDC stated that 130 Americans die daily from opioid overdose. In addition, they stated that there is high quality evidence supporting exercise as part of a physical therapy treatment program for distressing issues such as low back pain, hip or knee osteoarthritis, or fibromyalgia.
Research has shown that patients who started physical therapy earlier were able to prevent acute pain from becoming chronic pain. A study that was conducted in 2018 found that an early physical therapy visit was associated with reduced risk for long-term opioid use.
When a PT works with a patient who is in pain, they use tests and measures to determine the causes of that pain and to assess its intensity, quality, and physical characteristics. Once the pain drivers are identified, and the patients goals are clear, the PT will design a treatment program personalized for the patient. They will combine the appropriate techniques in order to address the contributors to the pain. Some of these techniques include exercise, manual therapy, stress management, sleep hygiene, and pain neuroscience education.
Let's dive into these techniques a bit deeper to learn about how PT can help reduce opioid abuse:
Exercise. Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly actually experience less pain. Your physical therapist will work with you to create a program that addresses impairments and deficiencies that may lead to pain.
Manual Therapy. This is a hands on approach that involves the manipulation of joints and soft tissue in order to modulate pain, regulate swelling and inflammation, and even improve mobility.
Stress management. Your physical therapist may utilize techniques such as mindfulness, relaxation, and visualization to help patients reduce pain and improve their quality of life.
Sleep hygiene. It is common for those who have chronic pain to also present with sleep disturbances. There is evidence that shows that sleep deprivation can increase sensitivity levels and contribute to increased stress and pain. Your PT can educate you on the importance and implementation of sleep hygiene to help manage chronic pain.
Pain neuroscience education. Your PT may educate you about the physiological processes that happen in our bodies when we feel pain. This understanding can be empowering and help our patients on their path to conquering chronic pain.
Physical therapists at Evolve treat pain through movement, patient education, and hands on care. We stand by increasing physical activity to treat pain and also reduce your risk of other chronic diseases. Pain is personal, but treating pain takes teamwork. When it comes to your health, you have a choice, and we encourage you to choose wisely. Choose more movement and better health. Choose physical therapy! Call us to make an appointment: 1-718-258-3300
About Evolve Physical Therapy in Brooklyn-
Brooklyn's Premier Holistic Physical Therapy Clinics-
There’s physical therapy, there’s training, and then there’s EVOLVE. We use the science of biomechanics merged with fitness to help our patients get better and stay better! First we evaluate, then we heal, then we strengthen our clients so they can reach their goals, feel better, and live happier lives. We do so by utilizing a range of core techniques and specialized treatments to reduce pain, improve mobility, enhance physical strength and deal with the underlying issues, not just the pain itself.
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1-718-258-3300
https://EvolveNY.com
