Any amount of pain can be a nuisance to our lives, especially when it lasts for a while. Everyone deals with pain differently, and there are many options available to treat it. At CAM Physical Therapy and Wellness Services, we want you to know that if you happen to be dealing with any pain in Laurel, physical therapy is a far better choice than pain medications. In fact, we think it’s the best possible option for most painful conditions.

The U.S. is currently experiencing an epidemic due to the over-prescription of pain medications, especially opioids. Though our country represents less than 5% of the world’s population, we consume more than 80% of the global supply of opioids. The number of prescriptions for opioids increased by 600% from 1997-2007, and there has been a threefold increase in the abuse of these drugs over the past few years.

These shocking figures show just how big of a problem opioid use is in the U.S. Though there are many patients that actually need these medications because they have painful conditions that can’t be treated with anything else, some doctors prescribe them because it’s easier and faster than other treatments. In other cases, patients are prescribed opioids to help them deal with pain following surgery. Sadly, this can have some negative effects.

Studies have shown that patients who continue to use opioids after surgery have worse outcomes than those who don’t. This has been seen with a greater number of symptoms, more stress, more disability and a higher tolerance for opioids. A higher tolerance for opioids is very dangerous and can lead to addiction if the drugs are taken for long enough. This is why many “normal” people who are prescribed opioids after surgery or for an injury eventually develop addictions. They often get too reliant on the drugs during their recovery, and aren’t able to stop taking them afterwards.

Physical therapy, on the other hand, offers a wide range of possible benefits that far outweigh any risks involved. Narcotics like opioids are only meant to decrease someone’s perception or sensation of pain, and they are not intended to actually address the factor that’s causing the pain. This is why they are only supposed to be used temporarily until the pain subsides. Physical therapy, instead, is always focused on finding the origin of the pain and creating ways to alleviate it.

How physical therapy can help address your pain in Laurel

Physical therapy is not a temporary solution. It’s the best possible option for managing pain in Laurel, and we strongly encourage it before getting a prescription or having surgery. A course of physical therapy may take some time, but each element involved will be designed to address and relieve any pain you may be having. Every painful condition is different and will be treated as such, but there are various evidence-based treatment approaches including the following:

• Electrical stimulation/TENS units
• Ice/heat therapy
• Soft-tissue mobilization techniques
• Gentle joint mobilizations
• Strengthening exercises
• Stretching exercises
• Pain-relief exercises
• Education on activity modification or about positioning

Fortunately, efforts are currently being taken to reduce the number of opioid prescriptions being given from the American Physical Therapy Association and several other organizations, and we hope that these efforts are successful in curbing the over-prescription and overuse of these drugs. In the meantime, if you’re dealing with any pain in Laurel, we strongly encourage you to see one of our physical therapists here at CAM Physical Therapy and Wellness Services. Call 301-853-0093 to schedule an appointment at any of our four clinics in Laurel, Hyattsville, Glenn Dale/Bowie or Parkville/Baltimore, MD, or click here for more information.