The American Physical Therapy Association’s #ChoosePT campaign is raising awareness about the dangers of prescription opioids, and encourages consumers and prescribers to choose safer alternatives like physical therapy for most chronic pain management.
Every yearmillions of Americansuseopioids tomanage pain. Doctor-prescribed opioids are appropriate in some cases, but they just mask the pain—and reliance on opioids has led to the worst drug crisis in American history.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American College of Physicians, and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have issued guidelines and reports urging health care providers to pursue safe nondrug alternatives, including physical therapy, for most non–cancer-related pain treatment. Physical therapists (PTs) treat pain through movement, hands-on care, and patient education—and by increasing physical activity you can also reduce your risk of other chronic diseases. A recent study published in Health Services Research found that patientswho sawa PT before trying other treatments for low back pain were 89% less likely to need an opioid prescription. If you know someone in pain, encourage them to talk to their physician or PT about safe ways to manage pain.
To readmore about National Physical Therapy Month and the #MoveForward campaign, visit at www.apta.org/NPTM. Also visit www.moveforwardpt.com
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