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Exercise & Health

8. Physical Therapy and Pain Relief - A Study in Motion

If you find yourself taking more than an occasional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) for pain relief, you might want to consider the benefits of physical therapy.

While medication may help to get you through periods of severe pain, it may not address the underlying causes like poor posture and alignment, weak and/or inflexible muscles, or tight joint structures that can make a painful condition worse.

Physical therapists are specialists in the science of movement. During their six year college study, they learn the intricate interrelationship of the body’s systems and how all of the systems interact in developing, affecting, and altering an individual's ability to move.

Through observation and scientific hands on testing, a physical therapist can identify why you are experiencing pain and how to correct it. Did you know that your low back or knee could feel painful when the actual source of the pain could be your hip?

When a therapist asks you to walk or lift your arm, they see more than just motion. They are watching how your muscles work together and identifying which ones aren’t working properly. From the results of the examination, your therapist will design a specific treatment plan including exercises to re-train your muscles back into a normal pattern and train you to avoid a recurrence of pain in the future.

So, if the news about NSAID’s has you concerned about depending on just medication to reduce your pain, ask you doctor to prescribe a few visits to physical therapy. It might be the best investment in pain relief you ever make. Click here to find a physical therapist.