A simple question, should you take a pill to mask your pain, or should you try to fix the underlying cause? It seems like almost every news broadcast these days features a story about a disturbing cluster of drug overdoses, with the word “opioid” prominently featured. So why are these prescription drugs -- which after all, are legal if they were prescribed to the user -- so much in the news these days?
Health &Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
SEE INSIDE
• Why PT Is Better Than RX • Exercise Essentials • Patient Success Spotlight • Outstanding Results
AFRAID OF TAKING PAIN MEDICATION? PHYSICAL THERAPY IS THE NATURAL PAIN RELIEF SOLUTION
Health &Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
&
AFRAID OF TAKING PAIN MEDICATION? PHYSICAL THERAPY IS THE NATURAL PAIN RELIEF SOLUTION
harrowing. And while you’re still using them, opioids can lead to depression, which sets up a vicious cycle of self-medicating in order to feel better emotionally as well as physically. HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY COUNTERS THE PROBLEM It’s important to get real about the reason people seek prescription painkillers in the first place -- the pain. These patients are not to be condemned for seeking relief for injuries, arthritis and other degenerative conditions, or for post-surgical discomfort. At the same time, however, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that medications like Percocet, Vicodin, Opana and OxyContin are extremely addictive. Physical therapy, on the other hand, is so effective because it provides a multi- pronged attack to pain relief. First, therapists can help lessen the immediate pain through heat or ice therapy, lasers, as well as low-pulse electronic equipment. Targeted massage and gentle stretching also eases extreme discomfort when tension or stiffness is part of the problem. In addition, physical therapy works to eradicate the actual source of your pain. So, if weak muscles aren’t supporting an aching body part, for example, your therapy will address this underlying cause. Flexibility moves can also contribute to pain relief because stiffening joints often exacerbate discomfort, or lead to over-reliance on nearby, overstressed muscles.
A simple question, should you take a pill to mask your pain, or should you try to fix the underlying cause? It seems like almost every news broadcast these days features a story about a disturbing cluster of drug overdoses, with the word “opioid” prominently featured. So why are these prescription drugs -- which after all, are legal if they were prescribed to the user -- so much in the news these days? And what can you do if you’re torn between not filling your own prescription, versus seeking relief for your very real pain? WHY OPIOID OVERUSE MATTERS Both opioid prescription rates and deaths from opioid overdoses have quadrupled in the last two decades. Given these identical statistics, one can’t escape the obvious conclusion: Reliance on painkillers has gotten out of hand, and the consequences can be literally fatal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), doctors now write so many opioid prescriptions each year that it translates to one bottle per adult living in the U.S.Of the 330,000 people who died from drug overdoses in 2015, 50 percent involved prescription painkillers. Just as ominous is the discovery that people who become addicted to prescription opioids are 40 times more likely to become addicted to heroin. Beyond extreme physical risk, over-reliance on prescription painkillers can have other detrimental effects on your health. Withdrawal symptoms can be
lonokephysicaltherapy.com | promopt.net
WHY PT IS BETTER THAN RX It’s important to remember that not every prescription is bad or dangerous, and that you don’t have to “suck it up,” refusing all painkillers. But there are specific conditions under which the CDC recommends trying physical therapy first:
the condition could be better managed with physical therapy or other treatment, as opposed to addictive pills, the “reward” of taking the painkillers doesn’t merit the risk. Are you wondering whether your pain should be addressed with PT first? We will give you a thorough evaluation for your specific condition. Should our trained staff determine that physical therapy can make a real difference in eradicating your pain, we’ll give you an honest timetable and a safe strategy to avoid prescription painkiller overuse.
• The pain has persisted for three months. After the 90-day mark, pain is considered chronic, meaning that painkiller use would also hit the dangerous 90-day mark. This can certainly lead to addiction. • The source of the problem is in the knees, back or hips, or stems from fibromyalgia. Physical therapy has proven especially effective in these situations. • The “risk vs. reward” question tilts more heavily toward “risk.” There are certainly diseases which cause intense pain and for which opioids help patients to function, or at least to remain comfortable. But when
Congratulations to Our Attendance WINNER!
Ask us how you can win, too!
Lonoke PT August Attendance Winner Mrs. Dorothy
lonokephysicaltherapy.com | promopt.net
Patient Success Spotlight
Before starting therapy, Ms. Eloise couldn’t stand or walk for very long without a lot of pain, and it was keeping her from doing everyday things she wanted to do. After a few weeks in therapy, she is doing so much better. Check out her Improvement Report below. “I went to Kroger and walked the entire store. It was a smaller Kroger, but still to me it was a major accomplishment. I was proud of myself, and my daughter was extremely proud.” - Mrs. Benice
&
Outstanding RESULTS
“I’m standing more and even cooked a whole dinner meal and cleaned the bathroom. I’m even attending leadership meeting for a class reunion. I feel better than I have in years.” - M.G.
“I was having many sleepless nights and unable to walk long distances before coming to therapy. I am now sleeping all night and walking a mile! Thanks, Cody!” - C.C.
“I can now finish a task without having to sit to relieve pain. I can sit to play the piano for longer than 5 minutes at a time. I am overall in better spirits.” - M.P.
Move Freely • Alleviate Pain Naturally • Have More Energy • Enjoy Activities Pain Free • Be Stronger
Don’t let pain become a way of life Come in for a Free Consultation and see if PT along with Dry Needing can help you move toward a better feeling you! FREE DRY NEEDLING CONSULTATION
Dry Needling Can:
Loosen stiff muscles Ease joint pain Improve blood flow & oxygen circulation Optimize sports performance Accelerate healing from injury Prevent issues from becoming chronic
Lonoke: 501-676-5540 ProMotion: 501-945-0200
&
Offer valid for the first 25 people to schedule. Expires 12-15-19.
Practice News!
Congrats, Matt!
Congratulations to Matt for being chosen by AY magazine as a 2019 Best Healthcare Professional in Central Arkansas.
Happy Anniversary, Becky!
Becky’s fifth work anniversary is November 17th!
MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT THROUGH DECEMBER 7TH! Do you have a Medicare Advantage Plan and are stuck with high co-pays and limited coverage? Call Mrs. Becky today at 501-676-5540 to discuss other options.
Happy Birthday, Courtney!
Courtney’s birthday is November 19th!
&
Matt’s Pecan Pie
INGREDIENTS
• 4 eggs, beaten • ½ cup sugar • ½ cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar • ¼ cup water • 1 cup heavy cream • 1 ½ cups pecan • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips • 1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell
• ½ cup corn syrup • ½ teaspoon vanilla • pinch salt
INSTRUCTIONS Caramel Sauce: In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar and water and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is a deep caramel color and as the consistency of a thin syrup, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the cream, return the saucepan to the high heat, and boil the sauce until it regains the consistency of thick syrup, about 2 minutes. Cool.
Pie: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spread pecan pieces and the chocolate chips evenly on the bottom of the pie shell. In a mixing bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients together. Pour the filling over the pecans and chocolate chips. Bake for about 1 hour or until the filling sets. Cool for 30 minutes. Cut into individual servings and serve with a drizzle of caramel sauce and powdered sugar.
Exercise Essentials Try these simple exercises to relieve pain and stay flexible!
Knee Rocks Lay on your back with your knees bent. Roll your knees to one side, looking to the opposite side. Roll your knees to the other side. Repeat 6-10 times.
Bridges Lie flat on your back with your knees bent up and your feet flat on the ground. Lift up your hips in the air to make a bridge, keeping your core tight and controlled. Lower your hips in a controlled manner. Repeat 6-10 times.
Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing.
Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing.
Care to Share Winner: Minnie Jakes
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6Made with FlippingBook Online document