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In the Wake of the Opioid Crisis, Physical Therapy a Safer Bet in Alleviating Pain

Opioid Crisis and Physical TherapyAs we navigate through everyday living, it is almost a given that we will experience pain at some point. From minor pains like headaches and bump-related foot pain to pains as a result of major accidents, illnesses or disease, there is no telling how the pain will come.  Regardless of the cause of the pain, it is always important to know how to manage it.

Unfortunately, the need to manage pain has led to the opioid crisis existing today. Opioids are an excellent way to manage pain, but their addictive properties mean that a lot of people remain hooked to the medications long after the pain treatment has ended.  The high risk of addiction to opioids is why physical therapy is a better solution to deal with pain. Apart from helping to alleviate pain, physical therapy can uncover the underlying cause of the pain.

Limiting the use of opioids

The scourge of opioid overuse can be attributed to several factors such as improper management of the prescription process and a general lack of understanding of the risks involved with each of these medications. Misinformation from the pharmaceutical brands making the opioids is also a factor.

Generally, the use of opioids for pain treatment should be limited to intense, short-term pain. If you use opioids for chronic pain, the effectiveness will wane after a while hence the start of the slippery slope of addiction.

How we can help

Even when faced with inhibitory but common pain (such as lower back or knee pain), do not use opioids. Talk to a qualified physical therapist to find the source of the pain and receive holistic and cost-effective treatment. When you treat the underlying causes of the pain, you will not lose resources on the same issue in the future.

Here at Fusion Physical Therapy in Lawton, Oklahoma, our certified physical therapists will provide a permanent solution to your pain. The consultation sessions will help us to create a unique treatment plan for your specific pain. You don’t have to put yourself at the risk of becoming an opioid addict. Get in touch with our professional physical therapists today!

Opioid Use vs Physical Therapy

Opioids and OpiatesWith over 2 million Americans held under the grip of opioid abuse and over 130 dying daily from the overdose of these drugs, you can conclude that opioids are slowly becoming a national epidemic. Opioid dependency has made many think that it is the only way to deal with pain.

Despite the efforts made by the CDC in releasing a guideline of how to use the drugs, the number of deaths and rates of abuse seem to still be high. With this concern in our hearts, at Lawton Physical Therapy, we use physical therapy to curb your pain and addiction. So, how do you know you’re addicted to opioids?

Signs of Opioid Addiction

If you or your friend is considering taking opioids as a pain reliever, consider physical therapy. The following signs should tell you that it is time to stop opioid use:

  • Fatigue and being sad
  • Overly energetic
  • Losing interest in various activities
  • Rapid mood changes
  • Insomnia or very abnormal wake-up cycles
  • Avoiding chats with your friends and relatives
  • Missing important schedules and appointments
  • Becoming nervous

Signs of Opioid Overdose

An overdose of opioids in a bid to alleviate pain at once can display itself in the following ways:

  • Inability to speak
  • Extreme sleepiness
  • Shallow breathing
  • Low and slow heartbeats
  • Producing gurgling sounds
  • Dark-colored lips
  • Blue-colored skin

How Do we Help You?

Our certified physical therapists at Lawton Physical Therapy ensure they don’t mask your pain by deploying non-opioids approaches. They usually set realistic expectations for your recovery using non-opioid treatment even after visiting our premises.

After carrying thorough examinations and tests, our experts determine the cause of your pain and the treatment method that suits you best. Besides, they give you some of the practices you should be doing to hasten your recovery based on the cause and location of your pain. Some of the common methods we use to silence your pain include:

  • Various physical exercises
  • Sitting posture adjustment
  • Body massages
  • Electrical stimulation

What You Should Do!

If you are one of the estimated 116 million people in the US suffering from acute pain every year, Lawton Physical Therapy is your partner in eliminating that pain without any addiction. Contact us today and begin your journey to your rest.