It is important to consider physical therapy when living in Albuquerque during the COVID-19 pandemic, as closures of physicians’ offices and stoppages of elective surgeries have resulted in the delay of appointments or surgeries for many people with pain or joint issues. If you're one of those people and haven't seen your physical therapist yet, you should. Here are some reasons why:
Early physical therapy leads to better outcomes
Studies have shown that people who receive physical therapy sooner have better results, lower costs, and are less likely to have surgery, use opioids, or have unnecessary testing. A study of 150,000 insurance claims published in Health Services Research found that those who saw a physical therapist at the first point of care had an 89 percent lower probability of receiving an opioid prescription. They also had a 28 percent lower probability of having advanced imaging services, and a 15 percent lower probability of visiting an emergency department. Unfortunately, only 2 percent of people with back pain start with physical therapy, and only 7 percent get to physical therapy within 90 days.
Early physical therapy saves money
The rising cost of healthcare is well known. Going to physical therapy early on has been shown to reduce costs without reducing the effectiveness of treatment. A study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy revealed that patients who obtained physical therapy via direct access (without a doctor's referral or prescription) had significantly lower medical costs—an average of $1,543 less per patient than those who went through a referral from a physician. They also had significantly fewer visits and spent significantly fewer days in care.
Surgery may not be as effective as you think
Many patients look to surgery as the fix for their pain, but surgeries aren't always as effective as patients tend to believe. A large study looking at worker's comp patients with back pain found that people who undergo surgery have a 1 in 4 chance of having a repeat surgery, a 1 in 3 chance of a major complication, and a 1 in 3 chance of never returning to work again. Extensive studies of arthroscopic surgeries for meniscal tears have recently shown no difference in outcomes between people who undergo surgery and those who don't. Other procedures with questionable effectiveness include kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty, and injections for nonspecific back pain.
So, if you were planning on seeing your doctor or a specialist for an orthopedic condition or pain and you haven't seen a physical therapist yet, you should consider making physical therapy your first stop. Physical therapy could help you get better faster for less money and prevent you from needing riskier treatments like opioids or surgery. FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers Albuquerque is taking all the necessary precautions to keep our patients safe as we remain open during these unprecedented times.
Call us at (505) 292-3317 or visit www.fyzical.com/albuquerque to learn about your physical therapy options in Albuquerque today!