What is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is an evidence based practice that combines hands-on treatment, pain alleviation, and functional strengthening. Physical therapy has evolved significantly to focus on day-to-day, functional improvements after injury and during rehabilitation. In fact, physical therapy is now often a front-line treatment for musculoskeletal injuries such as knee meniscus tears with functional outcomes being shown to be just as effective as surgery.
Physical therapy has further evolved over the past few years to focus on more than just rehabilitation after surgery and injury; we now know that there is less burden on the patient and on our health systems by taking a proactive approach and preventing injury in the first place. In fact, many medical professionals believe that a majority of injuries are preventable with proper risk-assessment, training, and strengthening. Even with elite athletes, injuries are often a result of overtraining or improper technique and the solution is for specific muscle training and guidance.
Physical Therapy as an Effective Alternative to Surgery:
There are numerous scientific studies analyzing the benefits of physical therapy vs surgery. For subacromial impingement, this meta-analysis3 involved 11 other studies with 912 patients having either surgery or conservative physical therapy. No statistically significant clinical outcome differences were found at 3-6 months, 5 years, or even 10 years after treatment; surgery and physical therapy had the same results for these patients. Even in worst case scenarios of full thickness rotator cuff tears, 60% of patients can be effectively treated with just physical therapy. Taking a step back and considering all types of rotator cuff tears, 73-80%4 can be effectively treated conservatively with physical therapy.
Even for low back pain and lumbar stenosis surgical candidates, this MD from Harvard University states that research shows no statistical difference between lumbar decompression surgery vs conservative physical therapy treatment; he suggests physical therapy should be considered first in terms of treatment.
Physical Therapy as an Effective Alternative to Prescription Drugs:
In recent years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recognized the growing opioid crisis; with nearly 50,000 deaths from opioid overdosing. The CDC has shifted to highly recommending physical therapy for pain alleviation. In fact, the CDC cites that there is high quality evidence that physical therapy is effective even for chronic conditions such as low back pain, knee pain, fibromyalgia, and many others.
Beyond pain management, physical therapists are skilled professionals that help with:
- Improving and restoring movement and function
- Reducing symptoms of many chronic conditions and diseases
- Health, wellness, and fitness
- Independence with activities of daily living
Looking to find a physical therapist near you? Use One Body to find the best physical therapist for you
References:
1. Giuffrida A, Di Bari A, Falzone E, Iacono F, Kon E, Marcacci M, Gatti R, Di Matteo B. Conservative vs. surgical approach for degenerative meniscal injuries: a systematic review of clinical evidence. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2020 Mar;24(6):2874-2885. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202003_20651. PMID: 32271405.
2. Saragiotto BT, Di Pierro C, Lopes AD. Risk factors and injury prevention in elite athletes: a descriptive study of the opinions of physical therapists, doctors and trainers. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy. 2014;18(2):137-143. doi:10.1590/s1413-35552012005000147
3. Nazari G, MacDermid JC, Bryant D, Athwal GS. The effectiveness of surgical vs conservative interventions on pain and function in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2019;14(5):e0216961. Published 2019 May 29. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0216961
4. Edwards P, Ebert J, Joss B, Bhabra G, Ackland T, Wang A. EXERCISE REHABILITATION IN THE NON-OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF ROTATOR CUFF TEARS: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2016;11(2):279-301.
5. Howard E. LeWine MD. Physical therapy as good as surgery and less risky for one type of lower back pain. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/physical-therapy-as-good-as-surgery-and-less-risky-for-one-type-of-lower-back-pain-201504097863. Published June 15, 2020. Accessed July 21, 2021.
6. CDC Recommends Physical Therapy and Other Nondrug Options for Chronic Pain. American Physical Therapy Association. https://www.choosept.com/didyouknow/detail/cdc-recommends-physical-therapy-other-nondrug-opti. Published June 15, 2016. Accessed July 21, 2021.