The Opioid Epidemic

The Opioid Epidemic in the United States

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, on an average day in the United States over 650,000 opioid prescriptions are dispensed to patients. With an astonishing daily rate like this, the annual rate of opioids dispensed is astounding – and not in a good way.

With increasing opioid prescriptions, the rate of opioid abuse and dependency is rising, along with the rate of overdoses. These rapidly rising rates are contributing to an average of 78 opioid-related deaths per day. While these numbers are frightening, the terrifying factor to consider is that most of these opioid deaths are preventable. In many cases, the need for opioid prescriptions can be eliminated by utilizing non-surgical treatment methods, such as physical therapy for pain relief and recovery.

Physical therapy has proven to be an effective treatment method for treating pain in patients with acute pain conditions, chronic pain conditions, and injury or overuse. Not only can an experienced physical therapist help tackle pain, but physical therapy can also help improve mobility and functioning.

Living in pain should not be your only option, but neither should opioid dependence. In most cases pain conditions are treatable with treatments such as manual therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture and massage. For some patients in severe pain, painkillers can safely be prescribed while being monitored closely by their physician and in conjunction with other forms of treatment. But pain medication as a standalone treatment should never be an option.

While painkillers may offer fast acting pain relief, the side effects of using them and abusing them can be deadly. In addition to the risk of death, opioids risks include depression, anxiety, dependence and ultimately addiction.

Instead of opting for dependency on medication to mask your pain, work with a physical therapist who understands pain and knows how to treat it, instead of just covering it up. Please contact us at Sarrica Physical Therapy & Wellness Center in Brooklyn at 347-560-6920 to request an appointment today.