FEAR OF THE KNIFE? AVOID SURGERY WITH PHYSIOTHERAPY
Does the thought of undergoing surgery make you feel queasy? If so, you’re not alone. Many people have a “fear of the knife,” so to speak. No one wants to get surgery, but sometimes it is a necessary part of physical treatment. However, it doesn’t always have to be. If you feel as if you may be on the path to needing surgery, but you’d like to discuss alternative options, don’t hesitate to give our team at SOS a call. How can I avoid surgery? There are numerous benefits to foregoing surgery and sticking with physiotherapy – for one you'll save the tax payer (i.e. YOU), an incredible amount of money. Surgeries are pricy and physiotherapy is far cheaper! Secondly, you’ll avoid the extensive recovery time that follows surgery. Many times, patients will need post-surgical rehabilitation (and sometimes pre-surgical rehabilitation) anyway. Why go through both if one can do the trick? Finally, and perhaps most importantly, physiotherapy isn’t invasive. Physiotherapy doesn’t involve 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 physiotherapy 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), physiotherapy 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 physiotherapy treatments,” and “those who received physiotherapy alone.” Those given the sole standard physiotherapy 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 physiotherapy regimen, reporting improvement. Within the 6-12 month time frame of the study, those patients who received physiotherapy treatment alone showed similar signs of improvement to those that received both surgery and physiotherapy. A success story: However, the proof toward the power of physiotherapy doesn’t end there! One inspiring success story came from a 49-year-old mannamedRoberto.Robertowassufferingfromspinalstenosiswhenhe 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.
any risks of complications or need for harmful painkillers. It’s not painful, it’s not dangerous, and it’s a natural remedy for your pain!
It has been proven that physiotherapy can be just as effective, if not more so, than surgery. For some specific conditions, patients who received physiotherapy alone were seen to have achieved the same results as those who received surgery in tandem with physiotherapy. These conditions were:
• Meniscal tears • Rotator cuff tears
• Osteoarthritis • Spinal stenosis • Degenerative disc disease
At SOS Physiotherapy, we strive to relieve your pain. Schedule a consultation with one of our physiotherapists today!
HOW DO I KNOW PHYSIO WILL WORK FOR ME?
Due to all his health concerns, Roberto was apprehensive about receiving major surgery, so his pain management specialist referred him to a physiotherapist. That was two years ago now! Roberto still attends his physiotherapy sessions twice a week, and he has reported radical improvement in his back and shoulder pain: “My physiotherapist, 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 SOS, we strive to make sure that every patient has a similar experience to that of Roberto’s. Our physiotherapists 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 physiotherapists 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.
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