You May Not Need Surgery Or Drugs For Chronic Back Pain Treatment
on Thursday, July 18, 2019
Physical Therapy is One of the Best Choices for Treating Chronic Pain
We should start, however, by acknowledging that physical therapy is not always the answer in completely eliminating one’s physical pain, especially in cases of chronic pain that has been present for many years, but we believe we can assist most individuals in achieving a more manageable level of pain and thus, a better quality of life.
In fact, at Renew Physical Therapy, we are frequently involved in a multidisciplinary approach with a number of Portland pain management clinics who concurrently use other forms of conservative interventions such as oral medication, injection procedures of medication or prolotherapy, counseling, radiofrequency ablation, spinal electrical stimulator devices, and acupuncture, etc.
A physical therapist is a doctor and can diagnose and treat for conditions that limit a person’s ability to move and perform functional activities of daily life. Such conditions or complications often involve a level of pain that limits function and mobility. When surgery and drugs are not the first treatment options for such conditions, seeking physical therapy for chronic pain is often the natural alternative.
Sometimes Back Pain is Overtreated
In a study for treatment of back pain that was published in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers noticed a worsening trend in treating back pain that is still prevalent today. The study surveyed over 20,000 visits and determined that people who suffer from back pain often receive overtreatment that is unsupported by clinical guidelines. Overtreatment includes both surgery and drugs that may not be necessary.
Overtreatment Costs More
In the same article, it also addressed how overtreatment creates a greater cost for the entire health care system. This also means that overtreatment creates a greater cost to you, the patient. For example, surgery alone has other costs attached. These additional costs can include lab tests, x-rays, other medical imaging procedures, operating room fees, and the multiple doctors and specialists who are required to provide care. According to debt.org, hospital costs average $3,949 per day.
You Do Not Need a Doctor’s Referral
Your local Physical Therapist is a doctor. You do not need a doctor to refer you to a physical therapist. However, we do recommend that if you have a general practitioner with whom you have a great history with, have them look into physical therapy as an option before considering treatment involving surgery or drugs. At Renew Physical Therapy, we have a great relationship with the doctors who recommend and refer us.
Renew Physical Therapy is Located in Southeast Portland
Renew Physical Therapy is an independent manual physical therapy clinic in Southeast Portland that was established in December 2015 by Michael and Heidi Cantwell. Our facility features three private treatment rooms and an open gym area to treat all our patients’ needs, including neck and back pain. You can find us at 11010 SE Division Street, Suite 301, Portland, OR 97266.
Visit our About Us page to learn more about our practice, clinic, and staff. Call us at 503.928.4914 to schedule an appointment.
Renew Your Body, Reclaim Your Life!
