WHY CHOOSE PHYSICAL THERAPY OVER OPIOIDS
5 Important Reasons to “Choose PT FIRST” Over Opioids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sales of prescription opioids have quadrupled in the United States, even though “there has not been an overall change in the amount of pain that Americans report.” Consider choosing Physical- Therapy-First when: 1. The risks of opioid use outweigh the rewards. Potential side effects of opioids include depression, addiction, and overdose, plus withdrawal symptoms when stopping opioid use. Because of these risks, “experts agreed that opioids should not be considered as first- line or routine therapy for chronic pain,” the CDC guidelines state. 2. You want to do more than mask the pain. Opioids reduce the sensation of pain by interrupting pain signals to the brain. Opioids make it so you feel the pain less, but, they do not treat the source of your pain. Physical Therapists treat pain by finding the source and restoringmovement and function whereby limiting tissue stress and reducing pain. 3. Pain or functional problems 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. 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 non-opioid therapies, such as Physical Therapy.
5. Pain lasts 90 or more days. At this point, the pain is considered “chronic,” and the risks for continued opioid use increase. An estimated 116 million Americans have chronic pain each year. The CDC guidelines note that non-opioid 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 the 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. 5 4 5 2 7 2 3 8 6 4 2 1 7 9 5 7 3 2 1
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CHOCOLATE SHAMROCK SHAKE
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INGREDIENTS • 2/3 cup milk of choice • 1/3 cup canned coconut milk, or creamer • 1 frozen banana (or sub 2/3 cup frozen coconut meat) 7 1 6
• 2 1/2 tsp cocoa or cacao powder • 1/8 tsp salt • 1/8 - 1/4 tsp pure peppermint extract • sweetener of choice, (as desired) • chocolate chips, (optional) 3 9 6 2 8 9
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DIRECTIONS Blend all ingredients until completely smooth. Pour into a glass, and enjoy! Feel free to experiment by adding 1 tsp of instant coffee to make a frappe, or use a non-frozen banana and heat ingredients on stove top to make Shamrock Hot Chocolate! 4 8 2 5
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