Physical Therapists Can Help Relieve Pain
ALEXANDRIA, VA, Jan 13, 2005 – In light of recent
reports about the risk of heart attack and stroke with the use of
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain and
inflammation, patients may wish to consider the benefits of physical
therapist intervention for pain relief from certain conditions,
according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
"Many people are looking for alternatives to the sole use of medication
to deal with painful conditions," said APTA President Ben F Massey, Jr,
PT, MA. “Pain medication may help you get through periods of severe
pain, but it won't always help you eliminate the underlying cause of
some kinds of pain. For many individuals, it is the underlying causes
like poor posture and alignment, weak and/or inflexible muscles, or
tight joint structures that actually exacerbate the painful condition,”
Massey explained. “A physical therapist will perform a complete
musculoskeletal examination and design an individualized treatment
program to reduce pain and improve function.”
There are many types of pain and inflammation that can be reduced by
physical therapist intervention. For example, chronic pain in the back,
shoulder, or knee or pain associated with certain degenerative diseases
such as osteoarthritis, can be reduced with the appropriate combination
of medication and exercise. “The physical therapist, in collaboration
with the patient and the patient's physician, can help the patient
manage his or her health over the long term,” explained Massey.
For pain of a "mechanical" origin such as back, shoulder, or knee pain,
physical therapist intervention may include therapeutic exercise, manual
therapy, and functional training. “The goal of the physical therapist
is to reduce pain, improve your ability to perform daily activities, and
help the individual return to doing the things he or she likes to do,”
said Massey. “It is also true that patients may unknowingly contribute
to their own pain, such as by exercising improperly or with poor posture
that physical therapists can identify and help to correct.” Massey
added, “Through the use of home programs designed to fit the
individual's needs, the physical therapist can efficiently progress the
individual's rehabilitation and teach the patient how to prevent a
recurrence of the original condition.”
For osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease of the cartilage and bone,
physical therapist intervention may include, exercises for strength,
flexibility, range of motion, and the use of devices designed to rest or
support the joint such as orthotics or splints.
To find a physical therapist near you, please visit APTA's Web site at
www.apta.org and click on “Find A PT.”
The American Physical Therapy Association (
www.apta.org)
is a national professional organization representing more than 66,000
physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students. Its
goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research,
and education.