America is experiencing an opioid epidemic with prescriptions quadrupling since 1999. In 2012, there were 259 million opioid prescriptions written. With the increase in opioid use, there has also been an increase in abuse and overdose. It is stated that 1 in 4 people who receive prescription opioids long term struggle with addiction. There are many risks and potential side effects with opioids such as depression, overdose, addiction, and withdrawal. Opioids reduce pain by interrupting pain signals to the brain.
25% of Americans report having low back pain within the last 3 months. Of the patients with back pain, 10% or less are referred to a physical therapist and as many as 61% receive opioids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention opioid prescription guidelines in March 2016, they recommend safer nonopioid approaches like physical therapy for the long term treatment of chronic pain. They recommend using opioid therapy only if benefits for pain and function are going to outweigh the patient risks. They encourage that nonopioid therapies are tried first. The CDC states that quality evidence supports exercise as part of a physical therapy plan.
Physical therapists treat pain through movement, hands on care, exercise, and education while working with patients to maintain and improve their mobility and quality of life. The benefits of PT with positive side effects include improved motion, more independence, pain reduction, and prevention of other health conditions through movement and exercise. Physical therapy has been proven to be safe and effective for
many conditions. Physical therapy offers education to patients and allows for a relationship to develop for teamwork and active participation in recovery. Physical therapists develop individualized treatment plans that are specific to each person and their goals. Physical therapy can include exercise in land based or aquatic based settings as well as manual therapy or use of modalities. Patient education is a top priority in the treatment plan for long term management of back pain.
Exercise through a physical therapy program allows for strengthening to the muscles for greater support and stability to the spine, reducing stiffness and improving flexibility, improving circulation to help with healing, and releasing endorphins which can naturally reduce pain and allow for less use of pain medication. Physical therapy should be thought of like any other health prescription. A qualified therapist will develop a plan based on your specific diagnosis and symptoms. Studies have shown that early physical therapy for back pain allowed for effective and lower cost to the health care system. Choose PT as a first line defense against pain.
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