|
|
Ed. Note: The following
story is a press release from the American Physical Therapy
Association. April 8, 2005
Now that Bextra, another Cox-2 inhibitor, has been pulled off the market
due to cardiovascular risks and potentially serious skin reactions,
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).
"Many people are looking for alternatives to the sole use of medication to
deal with painful conditions," said APTA President Ben F Massey, Jr, PT,
MA. "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 like poor posture
and alignment, weak and/or inflexible muscles, or tight joint structures
that actually exacerbate the painful condition," Massey 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 Massey.
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 your ability to perform daily activities, and help
the individual return to doing the things he or she likes to do," said
Massey. "It is also true that patients may unknowingly contribute to their
own pain, such as by exercising improperly or with poor posture that
physical therapists can identify and help to correct." Massey added,
"Through the use of home programs designed to fit the individual's needs,
the physical therapist can efficiently progress the individual'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 devices designed to rest or support the
joint such as orthotics or splints.
To find a physical therapist near you, please visit APTA's Web site at
http://www.apta.org/ and click on "Find
A PT."
The American Physical Therapy Association (http://www.apta.org/)
is a national professional organization representing 65,000 physical
therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students. Its goal is to
foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education.
Return To Table Of Contents |