October 2017: Happy National Physical Therapy Month!
October is finally here and that means it is National Physical Therapy Month! We here at Farmingdale Physical Therapy West are encouraging you to learn of the many benefits of choosing physical therapy first when you have pain.
Choose PT over Opioids for Pain
A major crisis we are facing in the United States today is opioid addiction. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 1 in 4 people who receive prescription opioids long-term for non-cancer pain in primary care settings struggles with addiction. The CDC is urging health care providers to reduce the use of opioids in favor of safe alternatives such as physical therapy. This is the reason the APTA has launched the #ChoosePT Campaign to help battle the opioid epidemic. The #ChoosePT campaign is meant to remind patients that non-opioid pain management options exist, and that they have a choice when it comes to their care.
The reason why you no longer feel pain when taking opioids is because they prevent the brain from receiving pain signals. Therefore, the cause of your pain is still there, but you are not feeling it. Physical therapists help treat the cause of your pain through movement. PT helps to manage your pain without the risks and side effects of opioids. This includes exercise, manual therapy and patient education. We help you become an active participant in your recovery. Physical therapy is not only effective in treating the problem, but can help you prevent this from happening again.
#ChoosePT
Choose to improve your health without the risks of opioids.
Why choose physical therapy for pain management?
| Physical Therapy | Opioids |
|---|---|
| Treats pain through movement to help improve mobility and quality of life | Masks the sensation of pain |
| Side effects: improved mobility, improved strength, decreased pain, prevention of other health problems through movement and exercise | Side effects: depression, nausea, overdose, addiction and withdrawal symptoms |
Watch this public service announcement from the APTA:
“Choose Physical Therapy for Safe Pain Management”
