Say Goodbye to Harmful Opioids With the Help of Physical Therapy
If you’re suffering from acute or chronic pain, then you’re well aware that a condition like this can substantially affect your ability to engage in even basic daily activities. You may feel that taking opioids to relieve your pain is the only option you have.
Thankfully, there are other options available, including physical therapy. This kind of assistance can help you live a pain-free life. The National Institutes of Health states that the number of adults in the United States suffering from pain-related health conditions has dramatically increased in recent years. If you’re taking opioids to manage your pain, call our office to learn more about how we can help you.
What are opioids?
Certain health conditions may increase the likelihood of recurring pain. Sometimes opioids are prescribed for pain when recovering from an injury or after a surgical procedure. Several types of opioids are often prescribed for pain.
- Codeine
- Oxycodone
- Morphine
- Fentanyl
Opioids are a group of pain medications that work by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain. The perception of pain is then dulled or eliminated. They are also classified as narcotics.
These are also sometimes sold under brand names such as OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet.
They can be administered in a variety of ways. Oftentimes they are consumed in pill form but they can also be taken by IV, an injection, nasal sprays, skin patches, or even as lozenges. No matter what type or brand, it’s extremely important that opioids only be taken as directed under a doctor’s supervision. While they may temporarily eliminate physical pain, they aren’t ideal for long-term use, and they will not eliminate pain.
Why are opioids so harmful?
Have you ever been in an accident that left you experiencing chronic pain? You might have been prescribed medication to help manage it and make you more comfortable. While opioids are effective for treating pain, they have the potential to be highly addictive. The longer these medications are used, the greater the tolerance an individual has for them. When an individual takes greater amounts of an opioid to receive the same effects, this can increase the risk of overdose and death.
Side-effects and symptoms of opioid use include sleepiness, nausea, and constipation. Long-term symptoms related to excessive opioid use could include impaired memory, inability to concentrate, or increased drowsiness. Individuals may experience increased cravings for the medication when they stop taking it. Life-threatening symptoms associated with an overdose may include slowed heart rate, unconsciousness, and shallow breathing.
How can physical therapy help decrease opioid dependence?
It’s always better to treat the source of pain than to mask it or simply treat symptoms. This is why physical therapy is a much better option for pain management. A physical therapist may be able to help you reduce or even eliminate the amount of pain you’re experiencing. This can help you decrease your dependence on opioids.
Whether your pain is the result of an injury or a medical condition, a physical therapy treatment program may be able to help. A therapist can evaluate your condition and create a program designed to treat your specific needs. According to Move Forward, there are several specific ways physical therapy can reduce pain, through exercise, manual therapy, education, and teamwork.
Your physical therapist can prescribe exercises to improve muscle tone, increase flexibility, and help you to move more effectively, which can all help reduce pain. Manual therapy and dry needling may be able to ease pain in your joints and soft tissues. Physical therapy can also be used before and after a surgical procedure to eliminate any potential pain.
Call our clinic today for more information!
Opioid dependence doesn’t have to control your life. If you’ve been injured or are suffering from a chronic pain condition that has caused you to rely on opioids for pain relief, it’s time to seek the care of a professional. Contact us to learn more about how physical therapy can reduce your pain and eliminate your need for opioid medication.
