Physical & Occupational Therapy for Pain

With the withdrawal of Bextra from the market in April 2005 and the concern over other NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories), due to serious side affects, people are considering other options for pain management. Many are presently challenged, because they depend on these medications to be able to perform their everyday tasks. They are looking for alternatives to the sole use of medications to deal with their painful condition

Physical and Occupational Therapy may be the answer. For many individuals, poor posture and alignment, weak and inflexible muscles, or tight joint structures can actually exacerbate the painful conditions. A PT or OT will perform a complete musculoskeletal examination and design an individualized treatment program to reduce pain and improve function. The therapist, in collaboration with the patient and the patient’s physician, can help the patient manage his or her health using a more holistic approach, where treatment may range from a combination of medication, pain modalities, and an exercise program tailored to reduce pain and improve function. It is true that patients may unknowingly contribute to their own pain, such as exercising improperly or with poor posture. Therapists are able to detect this, correct it, and teach the patient how to prevent a reoccurrence of the original condition. Therapists can also implement the use of devices designed to rest or support the joint such as orthotics or splints. Reference www.apta.org