JUNE IS NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH
4. Opioids are prescribed for pain. Even in situations when opioids are prescribed, the CDC recommends that patients should receive “the lowest effective dosage,” and opioids “should be combined” with nonopioid therapies, such as physical therapy. 5. Pain lasts 90 days. At this point, the pain is considered “chronic,” and the
For National Safety Month, FYZICAL would like to focus on reducing the leading causes of injury and death at home. Two leading causes of deaths are falls at home and the dangers of opioid usage. 4 Important Reasons To Choose PT FIRST Over Opioids. 1. The risks of opioid use outweigh the rewards. Potential side effects of opioids include depression, overdose, and addiction, plus withdrawal symptoms when stopping opioid use. 2. You want to do more than mask the pain. Opioids make it so you can’t feel the pain, but, they do not treat the source of your pain. Physical therapists treat pain by finding the source and restoring movement and function. 3. Pain or function problems are related to low back pain, hip or knee osteoarthritis, or fibromyalgia. The CDC cites “high-quality evidence” supporting exercise as part of a physical therapy treatment plan for those familiar conditions.
risks for continued opioid use increase. The CDC guidelines note that nonopioid therapies are “preferred” for chronic pain and that clinicians should consider opioid therapy only if expected benefits for both pain and function are anticipated to outweigh risks to the patient.
“Physical Therapy vs Opioids: When to Choose Physical Therapy for Pain Management.” American Physical Therapy Association. N.p., 15 June 2016. Web. 10 Feb. 2017. Among older Americans falls are the #1 cause of: death from injury and injury in general. Check Your Risk of Falling by completing the checklist below. Review your results to determine if you are at high risk. Why It Matters Circle “YES” or “NO” For Each Statement Below
YES 2 YES 2 YES 1 YES 1 YES 1 YES 1 YES 1 YES 1 YES 1 YES 1 YES 1 YES 1
NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0
I have fallen in the past year.
People who have fallen once are likely to fall again.
I use or have been advised to use a cane or walker to get around safely.
Unsteadiness or needing support while walking are signs of poor balance. People who have been advised to use a cane or walker may already be more likely to fall.
Sometimes I feel unsteady when I am walking.
I steady myself by holding onto furniture when walking at home.
This is also a sign of poor balance.
I am worried about falling.
People who are worried about falling are more likely to fall.
I need to push with my hands to stand up from a chair.
This is a sign of weak leg muscles, a major reason for falling.
I have some trouble stepping up onto a curb.
This is also a sign of weak leg muscles.
I often have to rush to the toilet.
Rushing to the bathroom, especially at night, increases your chance of falling.
I have lost some feeling in my feet.
Numbness in your feet can cause stumbles and lead to falls.
I take medicine that sometimes makes me feel light-headed or more tired than usual.
These medicines can sometimes increase your chance of falling. Side effects from medication can sometimes increase your chance of falling. Symptoms of depression, such as not feeling well or feeling slowed down, are linked to falls.
I take medicine to help me sleep or improve my mood.
I often feel sad or depressed.
Add up the number of points for each “yes” answer. If you scored 4 points or more, you may be at risk for falling.
Check Your Risk for Falling
This checklist was developed by the Greater Los Angeles VA Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center and affiliates and is a validated fall risk self-assessment tool (Rubenstein et al. J Safety Res; 2011: 42(6)493-499).
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