So why are these prescription drugs -- which after all, are legal if they were prescribed to the user -- in the news so much these days? And what can you do if you’re torn between not filling your own prescription, versus seeking relief for your very real pain?
The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body Health & Fitness
Afraid of Taking Pain Medication? How Physical Therapy Is The Natural Pain Relief Situation ALSO INSIDE • Why “PT” is Better Than “RX” • Improve Leg Strength In Minutes • Patient Success Story
A simple question, should you take a pill to mask your pain, or should you try to fix the underlying cause? It seems like almost every news broadcast these days features a story about a disturbing cluster of drug overdoses, with the word “opioid” prominently featured. (continued inside)
The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body Health & Fitness
Afraid of Taking Pain Medication? How Physical Therapy Is The Natural Pain Relief Situation
How Physical Therapy Counters the Problem It’s important to get real about the reason people seek prescription painkillers in the first place -- the pain. These patients are not to be condemned for seeking relief for injuries, arthritis and other degenerative conditions, or for post-surgical discomfort. At the same time, however, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that medications like Percocet, Vicodin, Opana, and OxyContin are extremely addictive. Physical therapy, on the other hand, is so effective because it provides a multi-pronged attack to pain relief. First, therapists can help lessen the immediate pain through heat or ice therapy, lasers, as well as low- pulse electronic equipment.Targeted massage and gentle stretching also eases extreme discomfort when tension or stiffness is part of the problem. In addition, physical therapy works to eradicate the actual source of your pain. So, if weak muscles aren’t supporting an aching body part, for example, your therapy will address this underlying cause. Flexibility moves can also contribute to pain relief because stiffening joints often exacerbate discomfort, or lead to over-reliance on nearby, overstressed muscles.
So why are these prescription drugs -- which after all, are legal if they were prescribed to the user -- in the news so much these days? And whatcanyoudo ifyou’re tornbetweennotfillingyourownprescription, versus seeking relief for your very real pain? Why Opioid Overuse Matters Both opioid prescription rates and deaths from opioid overdoses have quadrupled in the last two decades. Given these identical statistics, one can’t escape the obvious conclusion: Reliance on painkillers has gotten out of hand, and the consequences can be literally fatal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), doctors now write so many opioid prescriptions each year that it translates to one bottle per adult living in the United States. Of the 330,000 people who died from drug overdoses in 2015, 50 percent involved prescription painkillers. Just as ominous is the discovery that people who become addicted to prescription opioids are 40 times more likely to become addicted to heroin. Beyond extreme physical risk, over-reliance on prescription painkillers can have other detrimental effects on your health. Withdrawal symptoms can be harrowing. And while you’re still using them, opioids can lead to depression, which sets up a vicious cycle of self- medicating in order to feel better emotionally as well as physically.
Gretna Location (504) 365-1020 Belle Chasse Location (504) 398-2004
3. If further assessment is
1. Feel free to call us and ask to speak to your therapist.
2. Your therapist can discuss with you why your pain is bothering you again and what you might do about it at home.
warranted, your therapist might recommend you come in for an appointment.
When “PT” Is Better Than “RX”
Patient Success Story Hear Why Our Patients Love Us! “Rehab Access gave me my life back! After a very complicated knee replacement I could barely walk or bend my knee. After three months of intensive therapy, my knee is now functional! EVERYONE at Rehab Access is caring and devoted, and they will NOT give up on you –even the front desk staff! They motivate you to push yourself and cheer you on when you’ve reached a goal. They made such a difference for me. I would go back to Rehab Access without hesitation! Thanks guys for helping me walk again!” - J. S. It’s important to remember that not every prescription is bad or dangerous, and that you don’t have to “suck it up,” refusing all painkillers. But there are specific conditions under which the CDC recommends trying physical therapy first: • The pain has persisted for three months. After the 90-day mark, pain is considered chronic, meaning that painkiller use would also hit the dangerous 90-day mark. This can certainly lead to addiction. • The source of the problem is in the knees, back or hips, or stems from fibromyalgia. Physical therapy has proven especially effective in these situations. • The “risk vs. reward” question tilts more heavily toward “risk.” There are certainly diseases which cause intense pain and for
which opioids help patients to function, or at least to remain comfortable. But when the condition could be better managed with physical therapy or other treatment, as opposed to addictive pills, the “reward” of taking the painkillers doesn’t merit the risk. Are you wondering whether your pain should be addressed with PT first?Wewillgiveyoua thoroughevaluationforyourspecificcondition. Should our trained staff determine that physical therapy can make a real difference in eradicating your pain, we’ll give you an honest timetable and a safe strategy to avoid prescription painkiller overuse.
Sources americanmigrainefoundation.org/understanding-migraine americanmigrainefoundation.org/understanding-migraine-cat/migraine-triggers www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3072494
Happy Anniversary!
Chesson Clement
Joe Squatrito
Megan Williams
We have three therapists who celebrated work anniversaries this past month! Congratulations to Chesson Clement (15 years), Joe Squatrito (11 years), and Megan Williams (2 years). We appreciate all your hard work and dedication to Rehab Access and your patients!
Improve Leg Strength In Minutes
Healthy Recipe: Cucumber Kimchi
Try this movement to build leg strength.
IMPROVES STRIDE
Ingredients • 2 pickling cucumbers/small cucumbers • 1 tsp kosher salt • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped • 2 scallions finely chopped • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1¼-inch piece fresh ginger, finely chopped • 1 tbsp Korean chile powder • 2 tsp sugar • ½ tsp fish sauce
www.simpleset.net
Directions Cut cucumbers in half lengthwise and then crosswise into ⅛-inch- thick half moons. Place in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly with salt. Let stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, combine garlic, scallions, ginger, vinegar, chile powder, sugar and fish sauce in a medium nonreactive bowl. Drain the cucumbers (discard the liquid). Stir the cucumbers into the vinegar mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours before serving.
Runner’s Step Stand in front of a box or step that is below the level of the knee. Step up onto the box and bring the opposite leg up towards your chest. Lower your leg down in a controlled manner. Repeat 6-10 times, alternating legs.
If you need help to finally lose that stubborn belly fat this year, we can help! Lose Weight Safely and Keep It Off!
The Ideal Protein Weightloss Method
Don’t Waste Any More Time! Get Your Own Personal Weight Loss Exam, Call 504-398-2004.
Resultswhile following the IdealProteinWeightLossMethodmayvary fromperson toperson,or from individual to individual.Authorized IdealProteinadministrator,RehabAccessFitnessLLC.
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