Has your pain persisted for three months or longer? If so, it is considered chronic pain. The American Academy of Pain Medicine states that at least 100 million Americans live with chronic pain. This means that every year there is a larger and larger demand for prescription medications. In fact, just in 2013 alone, medical professionals across the nation prescribed nearly a quarter of a billion opioid prescriptions.
To put this in perspective, that equates to roughly one bottle per person living in the United States. This rising demand for pain-management drugs is what has led us into the opioid crisis we face today. It has become a national epidemic, filled with excessive abuse and overdose of the drugs. The chemicals found in opioids are dangerous and addictive when consumed in large amounts, and this is unfortunately something that many Americans have fallen victim to.
Because of this epidemic, many Americans are searching for safer, more natural methods for pain relief – this is where physical therapy comes in. If you are looking for a natural alternative to pain relief, contact
Canyon Sports Therapy today to set up a consultation with one of our physical therapists. We’ll help treat your pain and get you back to your normal life, without the need for the harmful risks that come with opioids.
Top 5 benefits of physical therapy:
Our physical therapists are movement experts, fully equipped to treat your chronic pain symptoms. They will create a treatment plan targeting your specific needs, in order to provide the best passive and active therapy treatments for your condition. We can treat your pain and provide several benefits along the way, including:
1. Discovering the origin of the pain and treating it at its root.
Part of the reason why physical therapy is so successful is because it gets to the base of the problem in order to alleviate pain completely, rather than just masking the issue. Pills may be easier to pop in your mouth for pain relief, but their success is short-lived. The effects of many medications only last for 12-24 hours, meaning you’ll have to continually pop pills if you want to maintain your relief. Essentially, it masks the pain but doesn’t fix the problem.
Fortunately, physical therapy does. Your physical therapist will perform a thorough evaluation at your initial appointment, in order to determine where the pain is stemming from and what the best treatments for it will be. Physical therapy gets to the root of the problem in order to provide long-term relief, whereas medication only works in the short-term.
2. Providing the best methods of treatment that have been supported by credible, medical-based research.
Rigorous study and strong research are just two of the many ways that the successes of physical therapy have been proven. These studies have provided credible evidence toward physical therapy treatments, illustrating how they can significantly reduce a vast number of pain-related conditions. The implementation of care backed by scientific research allows physical therapists to greatly improve their patient outcomes.
3. Prescribing targeted exercises for each patient’s needs.
In addition to your passive treatments, your physical therapist will create an active exercise plan for you that is specifically tailored to your recovery process. Physical activity can help in reducing your pain significantly, in addition to reducing swelling, improving range of motion, promoting healing, and increasing overall strength and endurance.
4. Implementing safe techniques that have little-to-no side effects.
Some common treatments that physical therapists provide include massage, ultrasound, joint mobilization, electrical nerve stimulation, and diathermy. These are all natural treatments that have a very low risk of side effects, especially when compared to other methods of pain relief, such as surgery and medication.
5. Improving your physical activity.
Participating in physical therapy is an engaging process that can inspire you to take a more active role in your pain management. Physical therapy sessions last anywhere from 30-60 minutes, allowing you to work closely with your therapist to achieve your goals. At the end of the day, physical therapy is the only natural, risk-free, and active method of pain relief, providing long-lasting effects.
If you or a loved one are currently dealing with pain, contact Canyon Sports Therapy today to schedule your consultation. We can provide you with the natural and safe treatment you need, so you can get back to living the life you want!
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