Canyon Sports Therapy. Physical Therapy Is The Natural Pain…

A NATURAL PAIN RELIEF SOLUTION 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?

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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 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. HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY COUNTERS THE PROBLEM 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.

W I S H I N G Y O U A

A N D A J O Y F U L N E W Y E A R !

See what results await you in 2020! Call us today at 801.944.1209 or visit canyonsportstherapy.com to get a headstart on a pain-free new year!

See what results await you! Call (801) 944-1209 or visit canyonsportstherapy.com! Follow us on social media! @canyonsportstherapyut @canyonsportstherapy

EXERCISE ESSENTIALS A N E X E R C I S E F O R B A C K PA I N

SIDELYING TRUNK ROTATION While lying on your side with your arms out-stretched in front of your body, slowly twist your upper body to the side and rotate your spine. Your arms and head should also be rotating along with the spine as shown. Follow your hand with your eyes. Hold for 20 seconds repeat 3 times on each side.

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

Exercises copyright of

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HEALTHY SEASONAL RECIPE NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT PROTEIN BALLS

INGREDIENTS • 10 tbsp cocoa powder • 6 tbsp maple syrup • 1/4 cup almond butter (use sunbutter for nut free) • 1/4 cup unflavored pea protein powder

• ½ tsp peppermint extract • 1/4 tsp sea salt • 2-4 tbsp crushed candy canes • 2-4 tbsp dairy free chocolate chips (optional))

DIRECTIONS Put everything except the candy cane or cacao nibs, chocolate chips and water into a bowl and mix well. Slowly add water if needed (You may not need any water if your almond butter is runny). Start with a teaspoon and slowly add until you get a well mixed batter. If you add too much then the batter will be too soft to roll. Add the candy canes/cacao nibs and chocolate chips and mix again. Allow to chill in the fridge while you clean up, then roll into balls. Recipe: https://www.veggiesdontbite.com/no-bake-chocolate-peppermint-protein-balls