Physical Therapy Offers Evidence-Based Solution To Musculoskeletal Pain

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Physical Therapy Offers Evidence-Based Solution To Musculoskeletal

Pain

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/133047.php

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is urging patients

with musculoskeletal pain to consider treatment by a physical

therapist, in light of a new federal survey showing that more than

one-third of American adults and nearly 12 percent of children use

alternative medicine - with back and neck pain being the top reasons

for treatment. Results of the 2007 survey of more than 32,000

Americans were released Dec. 11 by the National Institutes of

Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

According to APTA, physical therapy offers an evidence-based, time-

tested solution to these common conditions in comparison to

alternative treatments.

For neck pain, for example, a recent study published in the medical

journal Spine found that when patients received up to six treatments

of manual physical therapy and exercise, they not only experienced

pain relief, but were also less likely to seek additional medical

care up to one year following treatment.

" This study, demonstrating the efficacy of physical therapy for a

condition as widespread as neck pain, is particularly relevant in

today's challenging economic environment, " according to the study's

lead researcher and APTA spokesman , PT, DSc, OCS,

CSCS, FAAOMPT. " The Kaiser Foundation, for instance, recently found

that more than half of all Americans are not taking prescribed

medication and postponing needed medical care in an effort to save

money. It is important for consumers to know that there are

effective, conservative solutions such as physical therapy available.

[1] "

's study compared the effectiveness of a three-week program of

manual physical therapy and exercise to a minimal intervention

treatment approach for patients with neck pain.

Study participants consisted of 94 patients with a primary complaint

of neck pain, 58 (62%) of whom also had radiating arm pain. Patients

randomized to the manual physical therapy and exercise group received

joint and soft-tissue mobilizations and manipulations to restore

motion and decrease pain, followed by a standard home exercise

program of chin tucks, neck strengthening, and range-of-motion

exercises. Patients in the minimal intervention group received

treatment consistent with the current guidelines of advice, range-of-

motion exercise, and any medication use prescribed by their general

practitioner. Patients did not have to complete all six visits if

their symptoms were fully resolved.

Sample exercises to relieve neck pain can be found on the APTA Web

site, http://www.apta.org/consumer.

Results show that manual physical therapy and exercise was

significantly more effective in reducing mechanical neck pain and

disability and increasing patient-perceived improvements during short-

and long-term follow-ups. These results are comparable with previous

studies that found manual physical therapy and exercise provided

greater treatment effectiveness (Hoving et al, 2002)[2] and cost

effectiveness (Kothals-de Bos et al, 2003)[3] than general

practitioner care.

" Physical therapist intervention can be an effective, high-value,

conservative solution for treatment of musculoskeletal pain, " said

. " Physical therapists can help individuals improve mobility

and quality of life without expensive surgery or the side effects of

pain medication. We give patients the tools they need, such as the

home program we used in the study, to help them prevent or manage a

condition in order to achieve long-term health benefits. "

Physical therapists are highly-educated, licensed health care

professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or

restore mobility -- without expensive surgery or the side effects of

medications. APTA represents more than 70,000 physical therapists,

physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy

nationwide. Its purpose is to improve the health and quality of life

of individuals through the advancement of physical therapist

practice. Learn more about conditions physical therapists can treat

at http://www.apta.org/consumer, and find a physical therapist in

your area at http://www.findapt.us.

References

1. http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/h08_posr102108pkg.cfm

2. Hoving JL, Koes BW, de Vet HC, van der Windt DA, et al. Manual

Therapy, Physical Therapy, Or Continued Care by a General

Practitioner for Patients with Neck Pain. Ann Intern Med 2002;136

(10):713-722

3. Korthals-de Bos IB, Hoving JL, van Tulder MW, et al. Cost

effectiveness of physiotherapy, manual therapy, and general

practitioner care for neck pain: economic evaluation alongside a

randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2003;326 (7395):911