Pain is something that almost everyone deals with from time to time. None of us are exempt; an estimated 1 out of every 5 Americans suffers from some degree of chronic pain, and 8 percent of those sufferers find the pain so intense that they can’t pursue their normal activities.
It’s truly no surprise then, that anti-inflammatory drugs and over-the-counter painkillers have grown into such a huge industry. The unfortunate truth is though, that these drugs offer their own share of troubles, from addiction to dangerous effects on internal organs.
As more information comes to the surface about the dangers of painkillers, many people are beginning to seek effective pain relief that doesn’t come from a pill bottle. If you’re one of those people, you need to know about the amazing pain-relieving potential of physical therapy.
What’s the big deal about taking pain medication?
Think about the last time you chose to take a pill for pain relief. Whether you had surgery and were in recovery, or you live with a chronic pain condition, there has most likely been more than one instance where you leaned on medication as a crutch.
A variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications promise to ease pain and inflammation temporarily. Steroids do this by suppressing the immune system for people suffering from painful auto-immune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis). That same immune-suppressing power, however, also makes the body more vulnerable to infection.
Long-term steroid use has also been associated with cataracts, glaucoma, hypertension, water retention, acne, high blood sugar and osteoporosis.
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) block the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body. These are typically what people reach for in their medicine cabinet when they’re experiencing headaches, body aches, or joint pain. These drugs aren’t necessarily safe either though: NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding and kidney damage in some individuals. They have also been associated with elevated heart attack and stroke risks.
Perhaps the most ominous danger comes from opioid drugs. Opioids can bring an end to more than just pain: they can cause accidental overdoses. These powerful drugs caused over 70,000 fatal overdoses in 2017 alone. Some of these deaths may have been related to recreational drug use, but over 60 percent of the deceased were chronic pain sufferers.
A few facts about opioid use that you might not be aware of:
- About a quarter of heroin addicts began their addiction through prescription opioid dependency.
- Opioids are a highly dangerous class of substances. Heroin is among the opioid category, as well as prescription pain relievers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and more.
- More than 2 million people in the United States become addicted to pain medication every year, many of the medications being opioids.
These facts are scary, but the good news is that painkillers aren’t your only option if you’re living with a chronic pain condition, have sustained an injury, or are recovering from surgery. Physical therapy offers numerous advantages as a safe, effective, all-natural pain management tool.
Choosing physical therapy as a natural alternative for pain management
When developing a physical therapy plan for pain management, a physical therapist takes into account each individual’s symptoms (and the underlying causes of those symptoms). Modalities may include the following:
- Electrical nerve stimulation to interrupt pain signals
- Chiropractic adjustment to help joints move more freely and correct painful musculoskeletal imbalances
- A soothing combination of heat therapy and cryotherapy
- Aerobic exercises to get the blood flowing and encourage joint lubrication
- Resistance training exercises to strengthen muscles, making physical actions less of a strain
- Cold laser therapy and/or massage therapy to boost circulation, relax tissues and reduce inflammation
Physical therapy helps patients develop a new understanding of their pain as well. In fact, many physical therapists have implemented “brain-rewiring” strategies such as graded motor visualization, to help them master and reduce their reactions to it. This method of physical therapy aims to give patients greater control over their pain so that more exercise can be tolerated, which then further decreases the pain.
Ready to find a better way to handle your pain? Call us today.
Why settle for the illusion of relief when you can have the real thing — and improve your health and functionality in the process?
Physical therapy can do more than just help you feel better by easing your symptoms. By providing you with non-pharmaceutical pain control measures, this form of in-depth treatment can help you avoid the side effects of prescription and non-prescription drugs.
When you make the choice to see a physical therapist, know that you will be going beyond the temporary numbing of your symptoms. You’ll be treating the underlying causes of those symptoms.
Our physical therapist will be happy to create a pain management program just for you. Contact us today for a consultation!
