During their first physician visit, patients experiencing newly diagnosed chronic musculoskeletal pain are prescribed opioids more often than physical therapy, counseling, and other nonpharmacologic approaches, according to new research. The study, published in the Journal of Pain, included authors from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), part of the National Institutes of… Continue reading Patients with Newly Diagnosed Musculoskeletal Pain Are Prescribed Opioids More Often than Recommended
Tag: physical therapy
Enhancing the Quality of Life for Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is the umbrella term for a group of genetic disorders that cause muscle weakness. (For a full explanation of SMA, see this thirdAGE article.) Although some types of SMA can be fatal, people with other types of SMA typically live at least until into childhood and may even have normal life expectancies.… Continue reading Enhancing the Quality of Life for Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Early Lower-Back Pain Treatment Can Save Money, Avoid Opioids
For patients with low back pain, seeing a physical therapist first resulted in lower use of costly medical services as well as lower opioid use, according to a new analysis in the publication Health Services Research. Compared with patients who saw a physical therapist late or not at all, those who saw a physical therapist… Continue reading Early Lower-Back Pain Treatment Can Save Money, Avoid Opioids
Intensive PT Helps Stroke Survivors Regain Arm Function
The key to regaining arm function after suffering a stroke is to spend more time in an intensive physical therapy program, according to a University of Florida Health study done in June 2015. A release from the university notes that UF Health researcher Janis Daly Ph.D. said that after a stroke, the brain and body… Continue reading Intensive PT Helps Stroke Survivors Regain Arm Function
ThirdAge Health Close-Up: Becoming a Triathlete at 50 After Surviving a Devastating Auto Accident
Ten years ago Maureen Kemeny’s SUV was hit by a tourist bus. The now 55-year-old says, “Luckily my children who were 7 and 12 at the time weren’t with me. The bus hit exactly where one of them would have been sitting!” Maureen suffered severe herniated discs in her neck and lower back. “Pain was… Continue reading ThirdAge Health Close-Up: Becoming a Triathlete at 50 After Surviving a Devastating Auto Accident