AppalachianPT: Afraid Of Taking Pain Medication?

AppalachianPT: Afraid Of Taking Pain Medication?

2019

NEWSLETTER

PHYSICAL THERAPY IS THE NATURAL PAIN RELIEF SOLUTION

INSIDE: • How Physical Therapy Counters the Problem • Exercise Essentials • Patient Success Spotlights • A Time To Be Thankful

2019

AFRAID OF TAKING PAIN MEDICATION? NEWSLETTER

Whether you have aches and pains or have been suffering for a long time, seeing a physical therapist at Appalachian Physical Therapy, Inc. can help you return to a more active and pain-free life. Give us a call at: • Broadway: 540-901-9501 • Harrisonburg: 540-209-8977 • Pinehurst: 910-215-0541 bottle per adult living in the U.S. Of the 330,000 people who died from drug overdoses in 2015, 50 percent involved prescription painkillers. Just as ominous is the discovery that people who become addicted to prescription opioids are 40 times more likely to become addicted to heroin. Beyond extreme physical risk, over-reliance on prescription painkillers can have other detrimental effects on your health. Withdrawal symptoms can be harrowing. And while you’re still using them, opioids can lead to depression, which sets up a vicious cycle of self-medicating in order to feel better emotionally as well as physically. If you are experiencing pain and desire relief without relying on medication, contact the professional therapists at Appalachian Physical Therapy, Inc. for a chance at a pain-free and active life!

A simple question, should you take a pill to mask your pain, or should you try to fix the underlying cause? It seems like almost every news broadcast these days features a story about a disturbing cluster of drug overdoses, with the word “opioid” prominently featured. So why are these prescription drugs -- which after all, are legal if they were prescribed to the user -- so much in the news these days? And what can you do if you’re torn between not filling your own prescription, versus seeking relief for your very real pain? Why Opioid Overuse Matters. Both opioid prescription rates and deaths from opioid overdoses have quadrupled in the last two decades. Given these identical statistics, one can’t escape the obvious conclusion: Reliance on painkillers has gotten out of hand, and the consequences can be literally fatal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), doctors now write so many opioid prescriptions each year that it translates to one

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HOWPHYSICAL THERAPY COUNTERS THE PROBLEM

“I was able to fully do all of my workouts and eventually win a state title!” “I came in for IT Band. I was unable to complete many of my track workout beforehand. My training was very limited and running was very painful. Once I continued with therapy, I was able to fully do all of my workouts and eventually win a state title in the 1600m!” - Stephanie C. Singers Glen, VA “Have been impressed with the results!” “I’ve seen a dramatic improvement in my knee since the beginning of my treatment. It was painful to walk around to work and do normal everyday things. Currently, I have little problem performing the same tasks and have been impressed with the results.” - Catherine A. Broadway, VA “When in pain this is the place to come!” “I was in a lot of pain in the beginning, but now I’ve found relief. He’s done wonders for my pain! He’s been very patient with me. When in pain this is the place to come. Bill is the best! ” - Thelma M. Broadway, VA “They have been really helpful in gaining back strength!” “The staff was professional and friendly, and it was such a comfortable and pleasant environment. Teri was very knowledgeable regarding my condition and knew how to best treat it. I am very happy with the progress I’ve made with her treatment. She showed me what exercises I need to do outside our sessions to help stabilize my hips, and they have been really helpful in gaining back strength. Teri understood right away what my problems and weaknesses were and what needed to be done. I received excellent care there and highly recommend Appalachian Physical Therapy!” - Stephanie B. Whispering Pines, NC It’s important to get real about the reason people seek prescription painkillers in the first place -- the pain. These patients are not to be condemned for seeking relief for injuries, arthritis and other degenerative conditions, or for post-surgical discomfort. At the same time, however, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that medications like Percocet, Vicodin, Opana and OxyContin are extremely addictive. Physical therapy, on the other hand, is so effective because it provides a multi-pronged attack to pain relief. First, therapists can help lessen the immediate pain through heat or ice therapy, lasers, as well as low-pulse electronic equipment. Targeted massage and gentle stretching also eases extreme discomfort when tension or stiffness is part of the problem. In addition, physical therapy works to eradicate the actual source of your pain. So, if weak muscles aren’t supporting an aching body part, for example, your therapy will address this underlying cause. Flexibility moves can also contribute to pain relief because stiffening joints often exacerbate discomfort, or lead to over-reliance on nearby, overstressed muscles. When “PT” is Better than “Rx”. It’s important to remember that not every prescription is bad or dangerous, and that you don’t have to “suck it up,” refusing all painkillers. But there are specific conditions under which the CDC recommends trying physical therapy first: • The pain has persisted for three months. After the 90-day mark, pain is considered chronic, meaning that painkiller use would also hit the dangerous 90-day mark. This can certainly lead to addiction. • The source of the problem is in the knees, back or hips, or stems from fibromyalgia. Physical therapy has proven especially effective in these situations.

• The “risk vs. reward” question tilts more heavily toward “risk.” There are certainly diseases which cause intense pain and for which opioids help patients to function, or at least to remain comfortable. But when the condition could be better managed with physical therapy or other treatment, as opposed to addictive pills, the “reward” of taking the painkillers doesn’t merit the risk. Are you wondering whether your pain should be addressed with PT first? We will give you a thorough evaluation for your specific condition. Should our trained staff determine that physical therapy can make a real difference in eradicating your pain, we’ll give you an honest timetable and a safe strategy to avoid prescription painkiller overuse.

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PATIENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHTS

“Very pleased with my treatment!” “The staff, in this case, Jonathan Cole specifically, is a knowledgeable, sensitive and professional with “spot on” technique. Very pleased with my treatment. Staff, in general is welcoming, friendly and efficient.” - Susan M. Southern Pines, NC “Show a true concern and encouragement about your recovery!” “Excellent therapy with results if you do your exercises at home as directed. The doctors and their techs show a true concern and encouragement about your recovery every time you are at their office.” - Walt K. Broadway, VA “Explained what therapy will accomplish!” “They give individual attention, explained what therapy will accomplish, and not in a hurry to rush through exercises.” - Catherine W. Pinehurst, NC “Staff members are extremely caring!” “The staff is the best and most professional physical therapy clinic I have been to in this region. Staff members are extremely caring when it comes to patients needs and are always on time for scheduled appointments.” - Ryan K. Bridgewater, VA “They explain to each client exactly the expectation of each process!” “The therapist and the techs are very well versed about each exercise that is taught. They explain to each client exactly the expectation of each process. The administrative staff is very helpful, too. No one at APT rushes any client through any visit.” - Sandra M. Wagram, NC

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FREE ROTATOR CUFF WORKSHOP Attention Rotator Cuff Sufferers!

Who is the Workshop For? The Rotator Cuff Workshop is for people suffering with shoulder pain who are looking to feel normal again and heal naturally without medications, injections and surgery. REVEALING HOW TO GET BACK TO NORMAL WITHOUT MEDICATIONS, INJECTIONS & SURGERY...

Don’t delay! Register today! Use the camera app on your smartphone to see the next Rotator Cuff workshop at the location nearest you:

HARRISONBURG

BROADWAY

PINEHURST

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A TIME TO BE THANKFUL

ARTWORK AT THE OFFICE So in the attitude of giving thanks and thinking about who really butters our bread, we have decided to give back to the community that supports us and give you the opportunity to schedule a time with us to better understand a problem that you may be having. This will allow you to get information that will help make a decision, This time of year brings tomind a good harvest, pumpkins, turkey and all the elements of a great feast and family. Although it is mentioned last, family comes first in my book. I have stated it many times that this world as I know it would be lost without having family and friends. Relationships are the most important things I have and will continue to be. I place my work relationships in that category as most of us actually spend more time at work with our waking hours than we do at home. It is vital to have a healthy working relationship with the folks in your work environment. It certainly makes for a better day at least for me anyway. Along these lines it is important to actually enjoy what you do in life. I am so blessed to have the privilege to do what I do on a daily basis. I guess I have days at the office like anyone else. Most are great and there are some that are less than that. Usually those days are stressful from outside constraints that have a tendency to creep in occasionally. My job is to not let them steal my joy and take away the satisfaction I get from helping our patients achieve their goals of improving their health. It never ceases to amaze me we actually are able to help folks live a better life by getting their mobility and function better. I know that is what we are supposed to do but it is still kinda cool. I know we all rejoice a little each time we discharge someone and they walk out the door better. We here give each other a fist bump and mutter something like awesome, or great job, or at a girl! We never take our role for granted. We understand we are your servant, to give you the very best information we can so together we can make a viable plan of care to help you get better. It is all about you as we would not be here if you did not walk in the door. So in this context, I want to say a BIG THANK YOU for the trust you show by walking in our door.

possibly one that is life changing to better your health and enhance your ability to do things without pain or limitations. We have scheduled out our afternoon on the 12th of November just so you can schedule a 30 minute screening exam with one of our physical therapist and talk with us regarding your concerns and give us the ability to put our hands on you to share information on your condition. That way you can make a decision that will enhance what direction you may need to take to get your problem rectified. It could be doing some simple stretching at home to alleviate the problem. It could be a suggestion to get some testing to determine a questioned problem. It could be you may need professional help to get the problem resolved. Whatever it is, we are here to help and want to show our appreciation to the community that has supported us at Appalachian Physical Therapy over 33 years and counting. So call us at any of our offices to schedule this coveted time. I can tell you these spaces will fill up quickly and when they are gone, well they are gone. We can only do this for a limited time as our schedule is filled in helping patients get better who have already scheduled appointments with us. Come and enjoy some hot cider or cookies or a slice of pumpkin roll, fruit and more. Most of all come stick your head in the door and enjoy the spirit of being thankful for what we all have in this world that really is most important and that is relationships. THANK YOU!

Pinehurst Artist: Beth E. Roy Beth E. Roy, artist for Pinehurst. December 2nd through February 5th.

Harrisonburg Artist: Trudee Smith Trudee Smith, artist for Harrisonburg. December 2nd through February 5th. Trudee Smith was born and raised in central Wisconsin where she also studied art in the University of Wisconsin system. She took every painting and drawing class that was

Growing up in rural Michigan, artist Beth Roy acquired the foundation which allows her paintings to come to life today. She began riding horses at an early age and her life-long relationship with them has allowed her to translate them beautifully. Her professional art schooling was obtained at Austin Peay State College, in 1986-87 and at Christopher Newport College in 1989. Her works are currently represented in Beaufort and Southern Pines, NC. After painting in

offered, as well as every independent study course that was available. She moved to Virginia in 1984 and settled in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. She now lives just outside of Waynesboro, Virginia. Trudee impacts this to others in the art workshops she teaches in Grottoes, Virginia. Trudee also teaches piano and guitar to both adults and children. Trudee has had many gallery shows, been accepted into many juried art shows and won numerous awards, including “Valley Best Artist” in 2005 and 2006. Trudee has sold her work nationwide. Her paintings are on display in many municipal settings, in businesses, as well as in private collections and galleries in Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Virginia. She has donemany commissioned pieces, including portraits, pet portraits, and local landmarks, in both pencil and in oils. Still life, florals, and seascapes are found inmost of her exhibits, but landscapes remain her favorite. Trudee paints for joy of painting and loves the challenges of a changing palette and new and different subject matter. It is all exhilarating, but she is drawn to bucolic scenes, mountains roads, Wisconsin lakes and farms, as well as Virginia’s country lanes. She has a fascination for the play of light and shadow and the many moods of color and loves to paint them in a way that seems to speak to the soul of the viewer. Painting is one of her greatest pleasures and is truly a passion of her heart. The paintings of Trudee Smith can also be viewed on her Trudee G Smith Facebook page.

watercolor for 15 years, Beth changed to oils in 2002 for the permanency. In 2006 Beth was awarded an HonorableMention for oils in the ACMC Festival and then in 2008 was awarded 1st place in oils at the Festival for the large landscape “Water Lilies. In 2009 she was awarded Best in Show at the juried Artist League of the Sandhills Pot of Gold Show. In 2015 Beth created a pottery studio in her garage which allows her to make stoneware and raku pottery as a relaxing “hobby”. After many years of showing horses Beth accepted the formidable position of Volunteer Coordinator for Carolina Horse Park. She also co-organizes Running Start Horse Trial and Carolina Derby Cross. Beth and her husband Tom live on their farm in Vass, NC with 3 horses, 2 cats and a dog. Other pastimes are mountain biking, yoga, Jazzercise, reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. Visit her website at www.betheroy.com.

EXERCISE ESSENTIALS Try these exercises to keep you moving... PRAYER STRETCH While in a crawl position, slowly lower your buttocks towards your feet until a stretch is felt along your back and/or buttocks.

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Loosens Hips

QUADRUPED ALTERNATE ARM While in a crawling position, slowly raise up an arm out in front of you. Hold for 15 seconds then alternate. Repeat three times on each arm.

Stretches Lower Back

Exercises copyright of

www.simpleset.net

Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing.

Why You Need To Come In For Another Check-Up:

� Move without pain � Bend and move freely � Balance confidently & securely

� Sit for long periods comfortably � Walk for long distances � Live an active & healthy lifestyle

TAKE CARE OF YOUR ACHES & PAINS BEFORE IT ’ S TOO LATE!

BROADWAY CLINIC 540-901-9501

HARRISONBURG CLINIC 540-209-8977

PINEHURST CLINIC 910-215-0541