Physical Therapist Services for People With Pain

Pain is a completely individualized experience, and it is one of the most common symptoms that may lead someone to seek the help of a physical therapist or other health care professional.

In recent years, an alarming number of Americans have been prescribed opioids for pain relief. Because opioid side effects include withdrawal symptoms, depression, overdose, and addiction, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends safe alternative treatments like physical therapy for most chronic pain.

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.

You can contact a physical therapist directly for an evaluation. To find a physical therapist in your area, visit Find a PT.

Find a PT near you!

Choose Physical Therapy for Safe Pain Relief

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

Health and Wellness Tips

• Five Reasons To Choose Physical Therapy Early for Pain
• 10 Exercises to Do in the Pool
• Physical Therapy vs Opioids: When to Choose Physical Therapy for Pain Management
• 9 Things You Should Know About Pain
• 5 Tips to Avoid Chronic Pain
• Amplified Pain Syndromes: What You Should Know
• 7 Staggering Statistics About America's Opioid Epidemic
  
  

Did You Know?

• CDC Recommends Physical Therapy and Other Nondrug Options for Chronic Pain
• Research Shows Physical Therapy First For Low Back Pain Curbs Opioid Prescriptions and Lowers Costs
• Widespread Pain is Creating Widespread Prescription Drug Use
• Using Opioids for More Than 30 Days Could Increase Depression Risk
• Back Pain is Often Over-Treated
  

Podcasts

• Physical Activity's Role in Pain Avoidance and Pain Management
• Benefits of Early Physical Therapy Treatment for Sciatica
• How Physical Therapy and Pilates Enabled a Man With Crohn's to Overcome Chronic Pain
• Beyond Opioids: Transforming Pain Management to Improve Health
• Chronic Pain and the Role of Physical Therapy
• Cleveland Clinic Program Looks to Change First-Option for Pain
• NBA Great Grant Hill Reflects on Playing Through Pain
• Pain Does Not Discriminate, Even in Hollywood
• Amplified Pain Syndromes: Treating a Pediatric Population
• Understanding Pain
• Fibromyalgia and Physical Therapy
• Pain Matters: Bringing Chronic Pains Out of the Shadows
• Volleyball Legend Gabrielle Reece Chooses Physical Therapy, Not Opioids, After Knee Replacement
  
• Success Story: Overcoming Severe Pain, IT Band Syndrome, and a Labrum Tear
  
  

Symptoms & Conditions Guides

• Pain
• Chronic Pain Syndromes
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Knee Pain
• Low Back Pain
• Neck Pain
• Pelvic Pain
• Peripheral Neuropathy

Explore other symptoms and conditions.

Videos

• Yoga for Chronic Pain 
• Physical Therapy for Pain: Patients Tell Their Stories
  
  

Additional Information

• Health Center on Opioids and Safe Pain Management
• Explore other Health Centers for additional resources on exercise, health, and wellness.