Ditch the Medication and Get to the Root of Your Problem With Physical Therapy

It is no secret that pain can put a dent in your lifestyle. Many people make the mistake of relying on medication to provide relief, but meds only mask the symptoms, instead of fixing them. Physical therapy is a natural and non-invasive treatment that works. If you are suffering from either acute or chronic pain, contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine to learn how our physical therapists can get you on a natural path to a pain-free life, free from harmful drugs.

The disadvantages of using meds for pain:

Taking pain-management drugs as a way to rid yourself of pain may seem like a good solution in the short-term, but it has many disadvantages in the long-term. Over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen can lead to undesirable side effects. For example, taking excessive amounts of aspirin can cause your stomach to bleed and can lead to kidney damage. Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen can also both cause both kidney and stomach problems.

However, prescription opioids like codeine, oxycodone, and morphine are perhaps the worst. These are habit-forming drugs that can lead to addiction. They are also responsible for an additional number of side effects, include respiratory depression, constipation, anxiety, and nausea. Several people also overdose on opioids each year, either due to addiction or a gradually increased intake in order to relieve pain. Not only does taking meds for pain just mask the problem, it just may cause you another one.

Physical therapy as a natural treatment:

For many people, even the thought of exercising can make them cringe due to the pain they are feeling. However, PT exercises are one of the absolute best treatments for chronic pain. By participating in a physical therapy routine, you will see just how effective exercise can be for all types of chronic musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain. Just a few of the many conditions that can be treated through physical therapy include:

  • Osteoarthritis.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Chronic headaches.
  • Neuropathic pain.
  • Disc herniation.
  • Disc degeneration disease.

A physical therapist has a wide variety of treatment options to offer for pain. Just a few of the common methods and modalities that physical therapists use include manipulation of the joints and bones, movement therapy, massage therapy, microcurrent stimulation, and cold laser therapy. All of these treatments help in relieving pain, reducing inflammation, accelerating healing, and improving daily function.

Designing a treatment plan:

Consulting with a physical therapist can greatly reduce your recovery time. This is because a physical therapist will treat your entire body by identifying the root cause of your pain. A physical therapist will perform an assessment to determine where your pain is coming from and will develop an individualized treatment plan that is designed to target exactly what is causing your pain. At your initial appointment, you will undergo a comprehensive exam process, which includes a full medical history. Selected tests are done to identify movement-related disorders. For a specific diagnosis, all of the collected exam data is carefully reviewed.

Physical therapy entails both active and passive treatment. Passive therapy treatments focus on pain-relieving methods and modalities, such as massage therapy, ice and heat therapies, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation. Active physical therapy treatments focus on regaining function, improving range of motion, and increasing strength and flexibility. Treatments may include targeted motions, exercises, stretches or aquatic therapy. You can feel confident that a physical therapist will develop a treatment plan that is just for you and your needs.

If you’re in pain, there is an effective solution other than pain meds or surgery. All of our physical therapies are seasoned and certified, happy to discuss how our services can benefit you. Our goal is to help you recover and get you back to your optimum levels of function. Contact our office today, and we’ll get you started on a path to help you live your life to the fullest.

9 Reasons Why Stretching Will Benefit You

If stretching isn’t currently part of your daily life, it should be! No matter who you are, a good stretch is the perfect way to start your day. There are tremendous benefits to stretching, and if you don’t know where to begin, that is perfectly fine! A physical therapist at Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine can help walk you through why stretching would be good for you personally, and how it can help you improve your overall quality of life. For more information, contact our Dublin, GA office today.

Reason #1: Stretching improves your level of energy.

This is the best reason to get in a good stretch first thing in the morning. A few good stretches, conducted properly with deep breathing, can give you the burst of energy you need to start off your day. If you begin to feel sluggish at work during the day, take a quick “stretch break” to boost your energy level.

Reason #2: Stretching decreases your risk of injury.

If you work in an office, you may think there’s no risk of getting injured. However, there is not entirely true – what about when you have to bend over, pick up, and carry a 20-pound box of office supplies? This could easily lead to a pulled or strained muscle, resulting in several weeks of pain and physical therapy to recover. Stretching regularly will greatly decrease the risk of an incident such as this occurring.

Reason #3: Stretching allows for better blood circulation.

One of the main goals of a stretching regimen is to get your blood flowing to the extremities. Blood carries oxygen to your cells and makes you healthier overall. This promotes cell growth and helps your organs function properly. Stretching also lowers your heart rate, which reduces strain on your heart and causes your blood pressure to become more consistent. Additionally, better blood circulation from stretching can also reduce post-workout soreness.

Reason #4: Stretching decreases muscle soreness.

Give your muscles plenty of time to relax and loosen up with a good stretch before and after a workout. As mentioned, stretching improves blood flow to the muscles. This carries oxygen and plenty of necessary nutrients to the muscles, which in turn reduces soreness after your workout.

Reason #5: Stretching increases your stamina.

A good, long stretching session after a heavy workout can actually improve the stamina of your muscles. When you stretch, it increases the blood flow to those sore muscles and relieves fatigue. Stretching keeps oxygen flowing to your muscles, which delays the onset of muscle fatigue. As a result, this helps your muscles to “hang in there” for a longer period of time before fatigue sets in!

Reason #6: Stretching improves your cholesterol.

Stretching sessions can help to reduce cholesterol in your body, as long as you’re also following a heart-healthy diet. This can help you avoid heart disease. Stretching has even been shown to reverse the effects of hardening arteries due to cholesterol.

Reason #7: Stretching decreases your stress.

We all carry stress in our bodies. Too much stress can cause your muscles to contract, which can make you feel tense and on-edge. Stretching releases natural endorphins, which will help you relax, boost your mood, and reduce the amount of stress in your body.

Reason #8: Stretching improves your posture.

Stretching every day can help posture by lengthening certain muscles that have a tendency to tighten up when we sit in a chair for work all day. Focusing on your lower back, chest, and shoulders will aid in keeping your spine properly aligned. Stretching also relieves aches and pains, which can cause you to want to slouch.

Reason #9: Stretching improves your flexibility.

A common goal in physical therapy is to improve your flexibility and range of motion. Better flexibility carries a host of benefits. It improves your physical performance and reduces the chances of injury. Additionally, when you become more flexible, your body requires less energy to carry out everyday actions.

Contact us today:

If you’re excited to start stretching but don’t know where to begin, we’re here to help! Contact our Dublin, GA office today to set an appointment with one of our physical therapists to learn more about how adding stretching to your daily life will benefit you.