Physical Therapist Services To Avoid Opioids

The opioid epidemic continues to devastate lives and communities in the United States. Properly dosed, opioids are an appropriate part of health care in some cases. However, given the risks of long-term opioid use, the CDC recommends nonopioid approaches like physical therapy for the management of most chronic noncancer pain.

Opioids are a classification of drugs that includes hydrocodone (eg, Vicodin), oxycodone (eg, OxyContin and Percocet, which combines oxycodone with acetaminophen), oxymorphone (eg, Opana), and methadone.

Whereas opioids only mask the sensation of pain, physical therapists treat pain through movement, hands-on care, and patient education, resulting in positive side effects like improved mobility, independence, and wellness.

In response to America's opioid epidemic:

• The CDC released guidelines calling for safe nonopioid alternatives like physical therapy for most pain treatment.
• The American Physical Therapy Association launched a national campaign to raise awareness about the risks of opioids and the safe alternative of physical therapy.
  
  

Choose Physical Therapy for Safe Pain Relief

• Avoid Addictive Opioids. Choose Physical Therapy for Safe Pain Management
  
  

Health and Wellness Tips

• Physical Therapy vs Opioids: When to Choose Physical Therapy for Pain Management
• 9 Things You Should Know About Pain
• 7 Staggering Statistics About America's Opioid Epidemic
• 5 Tips to Avoid Chronic Pain
  
  

Did You Know ...

• CDC Recommends Physical Therapy and Other Nondrug Options for Chronic Pain
• Using Opioids for More Than 30 Days Could Increase Depression Risk
• Widespread Pain is Creating Widespread Prescription Drug Use
  
  

Symptoms & Conditions Guides

• Pain
• Chronic Pain Syndromes
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia

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Additional Information

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