How is Physiotherapy a Safer Alternative to Pain Meds?
Ideally, pain meds should come in handy when nothing else can help you return to a pain-free state. In reality, pain meds are taken as the first option to treat pain. These medicines mask the pain instead of treating it from the core. You may still have the condition despite the pain being gone temporarily. Physiotherapy, on the other hand, treats the underlying cause of the condition. This natural treatment has been scientifically proven to work wonders in pain management. But, is it a safer alternative to pain medication? Can you ditch your pills and live a healthy life with physiotherapy? Let’s find out.
How does Physiotherapy Work?
Before talking about how physiotherapy works, let’s first understand how pain medications work so you can understand the difference between the two.
Let’s say you got hurt in the left ankle. The pain receptors in that area send signals to the brain which identifies the pain and releases natural opioids. These natural opioids slow down your breathing and reduce the pain. Pain meds mimic the same when our body isn’t able to produce enough opioids. That means the pain meds reduce your pain but do not treat the underlying cause of the problem.
Physiotherapy, on the contrary, treats the underlying cause of the problem. The physiotherapist examines the injury and runs some tests to figure out the exact source of the pain. They recommend stretching, strengthening, and flexibility exercises to restore optimal health and function. The treatment doesn’t involve any medications or surgeries but promotes good health and well-being.
What are the Benefits of Physiotherapy?
Medical practitioners often combine pain meds and physiotherapy to help the patient recover completely. Physiotherapy does more than just reduce your pain and discomfort. It improves the overall quality of your life.
Sounds unbelievable?
Here’s how physiotherapy makes life healthier:
- Makes healing faster
Whether you are recovering after surgery or a sports injury, physiotherapy can make healing 10X faster. Physiotherapy exercises restore the strength and flexibility of muscles, thereby quicking the process.
- Improves blood circulation
Physiotherapy improves blood circulation in three ways. First, physiotherapy exercises help the heart beat at an optimal rate such as your circulation is improved. Second, the activities also push blood throughout your system. Third, therapeutic massages release muscle tension and improve blood circulation.
- Develops healthy routines
A physiotherapist helps you change your perspective on health. You understand how proper dietary choices and exercises improve your life and how they are not a burden.
Final Thoughts,
Pain meds are helpful. But, they can cause certain side-effects creating more health problems for yourself. Physiotherapy may not treat the problem instantly. But, it treats the condition from its core. The treatments help you restore an optimal lifestyle without going under the knife if you attend physiotherapy sessions consistently.
Legend Physiotherapy is here to help you regain your health with advanced treatments and modalities. Our experienced physiotherapists assess your problem and recommend effective exercises specific to your condition.