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Hello to you all! I cannot believe we are heading into the middle of July!! This has been a busy summer, and for me, started with my dad having knee surgery. My dad is eighty nine years young and just had a total left knee replacement. He is presently four weeks out and doing well. My dad is an independent person, was a runner in his time, and knows a bit about exercises. After having a physical therapist show him knee exercises, he decided to call me up to discuss his exercise program. Much to my surprise, he said something that helped me realize that my own dad (whose son has been a physical therapist for 35 years), has a misunderstanding of what physical therapy entails and what his son has been doing for the last 35 years!
 
This is not a criticism of my dad, but a criticism of my work, field and calling. What my dad said to me is that he is doing his physical therapy. I informed my dad that he was not doing physical therapy because exercise is not physical therapy. The American College of Sports Medicine has an annual convention that I have attended many times. This organization is a large group of sports physicians, Orthopedists, trainers, physical therapists, and other sports oriented medical providers who devote themselves to studying the performance of every person ' s ability to function, whether in sports or life. You might think they would know the difference between exercise and physical therapy, yet they also often confuse exercise with physical therapy in their studies.
 
For the record, physical therapists are one of the few medical professionals left, 
that are able to take their time to examine each patient's physical, mental, and emotional concerns. Each patient has the opportunity to discuss their pain, in whatever part or parts of their body that might be injured. A patient will be given an extensive examination and after that may be given specific exercises to help them regain their balance to return them to their former activities. Physical therapy may also involve helping each person work on their pain relief through relaxation and/or proper breathing techniques, as well as many other postural and/or proper body mechanic educational training programs. 
 
Physical therapy is more of a holistic approach to helping anyone in need improve their movement, whether by training athletes, helping someone address stairs more confidently, helping another learn a safer way to get out of a chair or car with more confidence and strength, and another with their ability to walk around with less back or neck pain. A good physical therapist will spend the time listening and examining you by watching you walk, checking your movement, strength and function as well as watch you throw a ball, hit a golf ball, etc. A good physical therapist is expected to take the necessary time to listen to your story and work with you to find a plan to help you achieve whatever goal you have in mind concerning your injury and pain. At the present time, most health professionals are forced to see too many patients in too short of a time to be able to really listen. Too often the symptoms may mask what the real problem might be. 
The bottom line, if anyone has any kind of painful movement disorder and you want to improve, please call your nearest physical therapist for an extensive examination. 
 
One last thing, please do not think or say, like my dad, that physical therapy is exercise! Especially if you don't feel like getting a lecture like I just gave my dad!
 
Remember we are here to get you Stronger Everyday!!


Enjoy!
Fran


Health Information
    Physical Therapy vs Opioids:
    When to Choose Physical Therapy for Pain Management
    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sales of prescription opioids have quadrupled in the United States, even though "there has not been an overall change in the amount of pain that Americans report."

    In response to a growing opioid epidemic, the CDC released opioid prescription guidelines in March 2016. The guidelines recognize that prescription opioids are appropriate in certain cases, including cancer treatment, palliative care, and end-of-life care, and also in certain acute care situations, if properly dosed.
    But for other pain management, the CDC recommends nonopioid approaches including physical therapy.

    Patients should choose physical therapy when ...
    • ... The risks of opioid use outweigh the rewards.
      Potential side effects of opioids include depression, overdose, and addiction, plus withdrawal symptoms when stopping opioid use. Because of these risks, "experts agreed that opioids should not be considered firstline or routine therapy for chronic pain," the CDC guidelines state. Even in cases when evidence on the long-term benefits of non-opioid therapies is limited, "risks are much lower" with non-opioid treatment plans.
    • ... Patients want to do more than mask the pain.
      Opioids reduce the sensation of pain by interrupting pain signals to the brain. Physical therapists treat pain through movement while partnering with patients to improve or maintain their mobility and quality of life.
    • ... Pain or function problems are related to low back pain, hip or knee osteoarthritis, or fibromyalgia. The CDC cites "high-quality evidence" supporting exercise as part of a physical therapy treatment plan for those familiar conditions.
    • ... Opioids are prescribed for pain.
      Even in situations when opioids are prescribed, the CDC recommends that patients should receive "the lowest effective dosage," and opioids "should be combined" with nonopioid therapies, such as physical therapy.
    • ... Pain lasts 90 days.
      At this point, the pain is considered "chronic," and the risks for continued opioid use increase. An estimated 116 million Americans have chronic pain each year. The CDC guidelines note that nonopioid therapies are "preferred" for chronic pain and that "clinicians should consider opioid therapy only if expected benefits for both pain and function are anticipated to outweigh risks to the patient.
    Before you agree to a prescription for opioids, consult with a physical therapist to discuss options for nonopioid treatment.

    "Given the substantial evidence gaps on opioids, uncertain benefits of long-term use and potential for serious harm, patient education and discussion before starting opioid therapy are critical so that patient preferences and values can be understood and used to inform clinical decisions," the CDC states.

    Physical therapists can play a valuable role in the patient education process, including setting realistic expectations for recovery with or without opioids.

    **article from moveforwardpt.com ,
MPT News & Happenings
MPT is proud to support the following community events, click on links to get more information:
 
Jazz Around the Bend-RiverBend Cancer Services
July 13th
Logan Garden Party
July 21st
Running Wild for the St.Joseph County Parks
August 19th
 
Fran's Favorite Quotes
"Be true to who you are!"

 



"Favorite Physical Therapy"

 

McDonald Physical Therapy
574-233-5754
  [email protected]
  Mcdonaldpt.com

 

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