Health Tips Newsletter by Excel Physical Therapy
THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY Health Tips Newsletter
AFRAID OF TAKING PAIN MEDICATION? PHYSICAL THERAPY IS THE NATURAL PAIN RELIEF SOLUTION
Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical treatment and is something we have all dealt with, or will deal with, at some point in our lives. National surveys have found that chronic pain—which is most commonly defined as pain lasting longer than 3 months—is a major health issue that affects approximately 100 million American adults and costs around $635 billion a year 1,2 . (continued inside)
By Timothy Brown, PT, DPT
INSIDE : • Afraid of Taking Pain Medication?
• Exercise Of The Month • Featured PT
• How PT Reduces Pain Medication Dependency
www.excelphysicaltherapy.com
THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY Health Tips Newsletter
AFRAID OF TAKING PAIN MEDICATION? PHYSICAL THERAPY IS THE NATURAL PAIN RELIEF SOLUTION
INSIDE : • How PT Reduces Pain Medication Dependency • Featured PT
• Exercise Of The Month • Patient Success Spotlight
is largely regarded as one of the top alternatives for pain relief, being recognized in 2016 by the CDC as an alternative form of pain relief over prescription painkillers³. The physical therapists at Excel Physical Therapy are experts in human movement, with their expertise resulting from their exposure to extensive education through accredited doctoral programs, challenging clinical experience, and use of the latest research-based medical literature. They are able to combine all of this to thoroughly assess and treat people of all ages and abilities in order to provide long term pain relief to their patients while restoring their functional movement and quality of life. This includes, but is not limited to, a wide variety of orthopedic ailments including low back pain, neck pain, knee pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and shoulder pain. Excel Physical Therapy also offers treatment options with PT’s specializing in Pelvic Health and Vestibular/Post-Concussion Therapy to create a wide pallet of treatment options for all sorts of different needs. Excel Physical Therapy takes a patient-centered approach that is designed around a heavy focus of hands-on techniques and direct interaction between the patient and the PT, with no interference from aides or Physical Therapy Assistants. If you are a person who feels limited by pain and are looking for a longer- lasting and healthier form of pain relief, please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment at one of our many clinics located in and around the Delaware Valley for a one-on-one evaluation. Visit us to get control over your pain and your life!
(continued from outside)
Dealing with chronic pain can make us feel frustrated, depressed, and just plain “broken” and the obvious thing we all want the most is to get rid of the pain as fast as possible. However, with so many options out there in the medical world, and the cost of healthcare only increasing, the question becomes which
By Timothy Brown, PT, DPT
method is the most effective and provides the greatest value? For many, medication is the first option to which people turn, whether it be something that can be picked up at a local pharmacy or something that is prescribed by a doctor. Why? It provides fast pain relief and is readily available. However, in most instances, the pain relief is only temporary and the source of the pain is never really addressed but only masked for a short period of time. Aside from offering only temporary relief, the risks and side-effects associated with pain medications can be just as bad, if not worse, than the symptoms they are meant to alleviate, with chronic use increasing the risk of secondary problems such as GI distress, internal organ stress, and addiction or dependency issues. This isn’t to say that pain medication doesn’t have its uses, but limiting our exposure to this kind of temporary pain relief and seeking out alternative methods of treatment that have less risk and more permanent results may be an effective and, ultimately, more optimal solution. Physical Therapy
1. IOM (InstituteofMedicine,nowNationalAcademyofMedicine).RelievingPain inAmerica:ABlueprint forTransformingPrevention,Care,Education,andResearch.Washington,DC:TheNationalAcademiesPress;2011.https:// www.nap.edu/read/13172/chapter/2.AccessedJanuary26,2020. 2.JohannesCB,LeTK,ZhouX,etal.Theprevalenceofchronicpain theUnitedStatesadults; resultsofan Internetbasedsurvey.JPain.2010;11(11):1230-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20797916.AccessedJanuary26,2020. 3.https://www.moveforwardpt.com/Resources/Detail/physical-therapy-vs-opioids-when-to-choose-physica
PENNSYLVANIA ALLOWS DIRECT ACCESS TO PHYSICAL THERAPY WITHOUT A PHYSICIAN REFERRAL CONTACT US TODAY TO LEARN IF YOUR INSURANCE CARRIER COVERS THIS SERVICE
Caroline Hodgins, PT, DPT Caroline is a therapist at our Blue Bell clinic location. Read her full profile here: FEATURED PT
How PT Reduces Pain Medication Dependency
1. How did you decide to become a physical therapist and what motivates you to work with patients? I have always been interested in healthcare and helping people. I first became interested in PT after a friend suffered a spinal cord injury and gradually regained full function.
I found it incredible how the body can heal itself when the right muscles are adequately facilitated. My interest continued to grow with my athletic experience, and I became more in tune with sports-specific training to optimize performance. I am motivated to work with patients, whether it is to help someone become more mobile to safely walk across a parking lot, or to help a young athlete compete in a significant competition. It’s all about quality of life and optimizing function – which looks different for everyone, but is empowering no matter how big or small. 2. In your words, what makes Excel PhysicalTherapy different from other physical therapy clinics? My experience at Excel, so far, has allowed me to spend time with each of my patients to get to know their individual needs. The one-on-one time we spend on the first visit will enable me to find what is essential to each person who comes in the door, so I can help them reach their goals. I also love the teamwork and collaboration among my co-workers throughout the day. We can all learn things from each other to benefit our patients. 3. What was your most memorable patient experience? I can’t pick just one. But the most memorable patient experiences are the ones where I get to know people and help them achieve personal goals. Getting someone better to compete in their end-of-season sporting event, helping someone be able to navigate stairs so they can safely go to a family holiday party, helping someone recover from a shoulder injury, or surgery so they can hold their young son or daughter – the list goes on and on. 4. If you could be any animal, what would it be and why? I would be a dolphin so I can explore the ocean and flip through the air. 5. If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be and why? Determined. I set goals and work towards them, even if it is difficult to do so. When I decide I want to do something I stick to the plan. I am determined to be a good PT and help my patients! 6. What do you like to do in your off time, outside the clinic? I like to spend my free time with my fiancé, family, and friends. I enjoy swimming, working out, playing card games and board games, and going out for wings and beer. I like to spend my time outside when the weather is nice, whether that is finding local hiking spots or trying to ski (both new hobbies of mine). I also like to kick back and watch the latest shows on Netflix.
Physicians and physical therapists are all too aware of the dangers of pain medication dependency in their patients, and the data is startling. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, over 2.1 million Americans are considered to be addicted to prescription pain medications. When you suffer with acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain, this leads to a dilemma of how to treat the pain. However, many people don’t fully utilize the benefits of natural pain relief with physical therapy. In fact, studies show that physical therapy is vastly under prescribed, with only 9% of people with common back ailments seeking physical therapy. Physical therapy addresses the underlying causes of musculoskeletal pain including weakness, strain, improper range of motion, and poor joint coordination. Patients can obtain natural pain relief quickly with hands-on manual therapy, myofascial release and modalities. Help yourself achieve natural and fast pain relief, without the dangers of opioid addiction by choosing physical therapy first. We make it simple to get started, just call the nearest Excel Physical Therapy location today. You’ll be glad you did!
SubstanceAbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration,Results from the2012NationalSurveyonDrugUse andHealth:SummaryofNationalFindings,NSDUHSeriesH-46,HHSPublicationNo. (SMA)13-4795.Rockville, MD:SubstanceAbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration,2013.
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Patient Success Spotlight
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“My wife had very positive results from physical therapy at Excel’s Phoenixville location and encouraged me to seek help in regard to the pain in my leg, ankle and toes. I realized, at age 75, that my arthritis made movement in these areas, and driving, difficult. I didn’t think much could be done to help me. I now realize how wrong I was and wish I would have done something for the discomfort long before I did. After about a month of Physical Therapy with Casey Sullivan, PT, DPT I have much more flexibility in my foot and ankle. I am driving for more than 2 hours and it does not bother me and my balance has improved greatly. Don’t put off the help that Excel Physical Therapy and their staff can give you.” - Richard W. (Phoenixville Patient) Don’t delay we can help you! Contact us: Downtown Philadelphia & South Jersey, Northeast Philadelphia and Lower Bucks County, Montgomery County, The Main Line, Delaware County, Chester County, Allentown, Lancaster: www.excelphysicaltherapy.com/contact-us The benefits from the simple act of just going for daily walks, short or long, are nearly endless. Walking helps to: Maintain a healthy weight. Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Strengthens your bones and muscles. Improves your mood. In addition, walking improves your balance and coordination. Walking Daily EXERCISE OF THE MONTH “Don’t put off the help that Excel Physical Therapy and their staff can give you.”
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COMPLIMENTARY PAIN ASSESSMENT
Your complimentary pain assessment may be conducted via telephone WE OFFER 33 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS CALL TO SCHEDULE TODAY!
THIS IS DESIGNED TO HELP KEEP YOU MOVING! CALL YOUR THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY PAIN!
Call to schedule. Expires 4-30-20
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