Physical Therapy is Safer Than Opioids

Physical therapy is a safer way to manage pain than opioid use.

Sales of prescription opioids have quadrupled in the US according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even though “there has not been an overall change in the amount of pain that Americans report.” Individuals are meeting with their doctors with complaints of various joint pains and neck/lower back pain and turning to use of medication as the only way to reduce their pain levels.

Opioids reduce the sensation of pain by interrupting pain signals to the brain, thus masking pain. This is not a long term solution to pain management, but a “quick fix” in order to get back to your busy life. The actual cause of pain is not addressed; thus your symptoms continue to return despite increased use of medication. Plus there are potential side effects related to opioid use including depression, overdose and addiction.

A nonopioid approach to pain management is physical therapy. We treat pain through movement patterns and teach patients how to improve their mobility and improve their quality of life while addressing the actual cause of the pain. With hands-on physical therapy techniques, we can “turn off” your body’s perception of pain and move through patterns in a pain-free range.

Unlike prescription opioid use which requires a visit to your doctor and then to the pharmacy to fill it, you don’t need a doctor’s referral to see a physical therapist at many clinics. Direct Access in the state of Pennsylvania allows patients to directly contact a physical therapist, make an appointment, and receive treatment for 30 calendar days.

So what are you waiting for? Contact Restorations Physical Therapy today to make an appointment to discuss with a PT options for nonopioid treatment to reduce your pain.

Also of interest: US surgeon general sends warning letter to all doctors on opioid epidemic