Don't Let Pain Meds Run Your Life - Discover Holistic Alternatives with PT

Sep 10, 2023

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy Can Help You Ditch Those Pain Meds!

Does your average month consist of multiple trips to the pharmacy for pain relief medications? This is the treadmill that many chronic pain patients find themselves on month after month, year after year.

Prescription pain relievers can only do so much to alleviate your discomfort, and in the case of opioids, you may find yourself purchasing larger quantities more frequently just to keep up with your ever-increasing tolerance to these potent drugs.

If you’re sick of exhausting your patience, wellness, and bank account on pain medications, it might be time to talk to your doctor about switching to physical therapy as your primary pain management strategy. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment methods and how they can benefit you!

Treat your pain the natural way with physical therapy

Instead of emptying your pockets on frequent drug refills that don’t even address the source of your discomfort, ask your doctor whether physical therapy might help you wean yourself off of opioids or other medications. (You may need medical supervision to reduce heavy opioid use safely.)

An experienced physical therapist can examine the reasons for your pain and then devise a targeted, personalized pain management plan.

Here are just a few of the ways physical therapy can replace all those bottles of pills:

Chronic nerve pain can be controlled with a technique called transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation (TENS), which uses electrical impulses to intercept pain messages. Cold laser therapy can ease neuropathy symptoms and promote nerve healing.
Chronic muscle spasms respond well to cold laser therapy, massage therapy, and heat/cold therapy.
Chronic headache/migraine pain can be reduced through a combination of massage, cervical spinal adjustment, and lifestyle or dietary changes to help you avoid known headache or migraine triggers.
Severe neck or back pain can be managed through a combination of strength training, stretching exercises, and chiropractic adjustment.
If you suffer from crippling arthritis pain, physical therapy exercises and massage therapy can help you control joint pain and stiffness.

Did you know about these pain medication risks?

There is no denying that pain medication is a lucrative industry. Aside from the enormous sums spent by consumers on over-the-counter pain relievers, the global market for opioid drugs has been estimated to be around $25.4 billion – and it is expected to grow further.

Opioids work by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain, allowing them to treat even the most severe pain. Unfortunately, the cost of frequent opioid use far outweighs the cost of these drugs.

The more you use opioids, the more likely it is that your body will develop a tolerance to them. As a result, you must continue to take more frequent and/or stronger doses to achieve the same level of pain relief. This is a quick and potentially fatal path to addiction.

In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 130 people die from opioid overdoses every day here in the U.S.That’s why if you are living with chronic pain, it is understandable that you may feel frustrated and confused about your choices.

Non-addictive pain relievers also are not ideal. Milder drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen won’t get you “hooked,” but their painkilling effects are fleeting, forcing you to re-dose yourself every few hours. These medications can also cause health problems if used frequently or excessively, with risks ranging from stomach bleeding to liver failure.

Take your life back with physical therapy

If you’re going to invest time, effort and money into feeling better, do it in a way that actually helps your body for safer long-term solutions.

If you’re going to put in the time, effort, and money to feel better, do it in a way that benefits your body for safer long-term solutions.

If your doctor agrees that physical therapy can help you get off the drugs, contact our physical therapist to set up an initial appointment and start working on a pain management plan!

To consult with a physical therapist, call our office today.

Don’t Let Pain Meds Run Your Life – Discover Holistic Alternatives with PT