physical therapy could releive chronic pain

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Physical Therapists Can Help Relieve Pain

Wednesday December 27, 10:58 am ET

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- In light of proposed sterner

warning labels for acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen by federal health

officials, patients may wish to consider the benefits of physical therapist

intervention for pain relief from certain conditions, according to the

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

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" Many people are looking for alternatives to the sole use of medication to

deal with painful conditions, " said APTA President R Ward, PT, PhD.

" Pain medication may help you get through periods of severe pain, but it

won't always help you eliminate the underlying cause of some kinds of pain.

For many individuals, it is the underlying causes such as poor posture and

alignment, weak and/or inflexible muscles, or tight joint structures that

actually exacerbate the painful condition, " Ward explained. " A physical

therapist will perform a complete musculoskeletal examination and design an

individualized treatment program to reduce pain and improve function. "

There are many types of pain and inflammation that can be reduced by

physical therapist intervention. For example, chronic pain in the back,

shoulder, or knee, or pain associated with certain degenerative diseases

such as osteoarthritis, can be reduced with the appropriate combination of

medication and exercise. " The physical therapist, in collaboration with the

patient and the patient's physician, can help the patient manage his or her

health over the long term, " explained Ward.

For pain of a " mechanical " origin such as back, shoulder, or knee pain,

physical therapist intervention may include therapeutic exercise, manual

therapy, and functional training. " The goal of the physical therapist is to

reduce pain, improve the ability to perform daily activities, and help the

patient return to doing the things he or she likes to do, " said Ward. " It is

also true that patients may unknowingly contribute to their own pain, such

as by exercising improperly or with poor posture, and physical therapists

can identify and help to correct those behaviors. " Ward added, " Through the

use of home programs designed to fit the patient's needs, the physical

therapist can efficiently progress the patient's rehabilitation and teach

the patient how to prevent a recurrence of the original condition. "

For osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease of the cartilage and bone,

physical therapist intervention may include exercises for strength,

flexibility, range of motion, and the use of devices designed to rest or

support the joint, such as orthotics or splints.

Physical therapists, who treat nearly 1 million people every day, work with

individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing

fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active

lifestyles. Many insurance policies also cover post-rehabilitation gym

programs. " Most people who desire a fitness plan are not athletes, " Ward

explained. " They are 'ordinary people' who exercise lightly to moderately.

Many have a prior health condition, such as chronic low back pain, that can

benefit greatly from physical therapist management focused on increasing

muscle strength and endurance, restoring and improving range of motion in

joints, increasing cardiovascular endurance, and decreasing muscle and joint

pain. " The physical therapist individualizes exercise programs based on

functional limitations as a result of injury or illness.

For more information on physical therapy or to find a physical therapist

near you, please visit http://www.apta.org/consumer.

The American Physical Therapy Association (http://www.apta.org) is a

national professional organization representing more than 70,000 physical

therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students. Its goal is to

foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education.

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