Addressing the Opioid Crisis Considering Alternative Treatments for Pain Pain, relief, withdrawal, addiction — the cycle isn’t that simple or straightforward, but addiction never is. What started as a way to help patients manage their pain has turned into a health crisis that’s killing them. Last month, the New York Times shared the National Safety Council’s distressing findings: For the first time in recorded history, Americans are more likely to die from an opioid overdose than from a car crash. What’s behind this recent rise? Opioids are a relatively new strategy for addressing chronic pain, and their addictive nature has led to a health crisis. For more on their history, look to Sam Quinones’ book “Dreamland.” At the root of the issue is pain treatment, and while opioids are one way of doing it, recent research suggests that taking opioids is not the most effective strategy. For lower back pain, for example, two studies from the University of Washington found that treatment plans consisting of decreased activity, opioids, and surgery aren’t successful for most patients. Instead, the studies found that physical therapy specifically focused on pain-coping and relaxation techniques is a more effective — and often less costly — way to treat pain. • • •
89 percent less likely to be prescribed opioids
28 percent less likely to need an MRI
15 percent less likely to visit the ER
Stemming from the current crisis, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recently issued a report that supported these findings. It concedes that “many nonpharmacologic therapies, including physical therapy […] can ameliorate chronic pain,” especially when pain stems from lower back pain, fibromyalgia, and hip and knee issues. Of course, there’s no single solution to the opioid crisis. But changing the way we think about and treat pain as a society is an important first step in putting an end to opioid abuse and resulting overdoses. Our lives depend on it. If you suffer from chronic pain, talk to us to find out if physical therapy might be a viable treatment. We are here for you. Call the number at the bottom of the page.
The studies looked at 150,000 insurance claims and discovered these findings about patients who saw a physical therapist first for lower back pain:
Have a Laugh!
Bistecca Alla Fiorentina
Ingredients •
Inspired by Saveur magazine
•
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
2 bone-in porterhouse steaks
•
1/4 cup olive oil
•
Lemon wedges, for serving
•
2 sprigs rosemary
Directions 1. 30 minutes before cooking, remove steaks from fridge to bring them to room temperature.
2. Heat a grill or large cast-iron skillet to high. While heating, brush steaks with half the oil and season liberally with salt and pepper.
3. Place steaks on the hottest part of the grill or pan and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Flip steaks and baste with remaining oil, using rosemary sprigs as a brush. If cooking in a pan, place sprigs next to steaks after basting.
5. Cook for 5–6 minutes for medium-rare.
6. Let steaks sit for at least 5 minutes, slice against the grain, and serve with bone.
Elite PT • (318) 443-3311 • 3
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online