HOW DO I KNOW PHYSICAL THERAPY WILL WORK FOR ME?
It is true that surgery is unavoidable in some patients, if the condition is severe enough. However, there are several studies and testimonials that prove physical therapy is successful in the treatment of pain to the point where, in many cases, surgery is unnecessary. According to a study done by the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), physical therapy is just as effective as surgery in patients with meniscal tears and arthritis of the knee. In this study, 351 patients aged 45 or older who fell under the categories of those conditions were randomly split into two groups, being “those who received surgery and post-operative physical therapy treatments,” and “those who received physical therapy alone.” Those given the sole standard physical therapy treatment plans were also given the option of “crossing over” to surgical treatment if they did not notice any significant improvements to their condition. After six months, 30% of patients opted to receive surgery; however, 70% stayed with their standardized physical therapy regimen, reporting improvement. Within the 6-12 month time frame of the study, those patients who received physical therapy treatment alone showed similar signs of improvement to those that received both surgery and
“My physical therapist, who really listens and cares, has enabled me to avoid back surgery and stop using anti- inflammatories. Instead of using medications, I have my mobility!” We’re here to help : At Regional Physical Therapy, we strive to make sure that every patient has a similar experience to that of Roberto’s. Our physical therapists are trained professionals who are driven and ambitious about helping their patients achieve the highest levels of comfort and success. Our goal is to help you avoid surgery and harmful drugs as much as possible. We do this by providing an extensive evaluation process to clearly diagnose the root of your problem, and basing a specialized treatment plan around said diagnosis. We understand that every patient is different, so every plan should be different, too. Our physical therapists will be there with you every step of the way during your journey toward recovery, encouraging you and supporting every achievement you make. If you have a painful condition, don’t resort straight to surgery – come see us for a consultation first, and let us discuss how we can help you.
physical therapy. A success story:
However, the proof toward the power of physical therapy doesn’t end there! One inspiring success story came from a 49-year-old man named Roberto. Roberto was suffering from spinal stenosis when he took a harsh fall, fracturing his shoulder. Anti-inflammatory medications weren’t an option for him, due to an additional diverticular disease, and during his physical evaluation by a pain management specialist, it was found that he was also suffering from degenerative disc disease. Due to all his health concerns, Roberto was apprehensive about receiving major surgery, so his pain management specialist referred him to a physical therapist. That was two years ago now! Roberto still attends his physical therapy sessions twice a week, and he has reported radical improvement in his back and shoulder pain:
Sources: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1301408 • https:// www.moveforwardpt.com/benefits/default.aspx • https://www.moveforwardpt. com/WhyTherapy/Detail/physical-therapy-helps-man-avoid-surgery-maintain-
Come back to Physical Therapy and discover pain-free living!
If you would like to find relief, call us today! www.regionalpt.com
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