Chronic pain is a common part of our world. People experience many different types of pain on a daily basis. There are also numerous causes for these pains, including medical conditions, lack of exercise, injury, or even stress. Each year, 50% of U.S. adults develop a musculoskeletal injury that persists longer than three months. Early treatment is the best way to prevent chronic pain, but this is not always possible. The following barriers sometimes stop people from receiving the treatment they need.
They think it will get better soon
Injuries especially can be extended because the person thinks they will get better soon. If you have ever twisted your ankle and simply stayed off of it for weeks, you could actually be doing more damage than good. If the twist is something more serious, you will want a diagnosis and possibly physical therapy treatment as soon as possible. People that spend a lot of time on their feet might contribute chronic back pain to their job. They come home in the evenings, take a hot bath and relax. After months, the pain never seems to lessen or go away. Physical therapy treatment could be one of the best options for reducing pain and preventing further damage.
They do not have insurance coverage
Medical care can be expensive. By the time you schedule an appointment with your physician, have a series of tests taken, and then begin treatment, you might already have thousands of dollars owed. However, if you wait even longer to receive treatment for these chronic pains, it can be harder to find a diagnosis, and the treatment might be more extensive. Physical therapy treatment is an affordable pain treatment method that is also cost effective. It is an affordable option for treating and preventing pains. In fact, in a study, total medical costs for low back pain were $2,736.23 lower for patients receiving early physical therapy.
They do not have the time off work
Receiving treatment for a chronic injury might require some time off of work. This is especially true if you are considering a surgical option. Fortunately, physical therapy treatment does not require time off of work and is one of the most convenient methods of pain treatment. Patients can schedule their physical therapy sessions around their work and life schedules. They can go early in the morning or late in the evening.
Why you need immediate treatment
Why is immediate pain treatment so important? An injury or medical condition, left untreated, can get worse over time. The worse that an injury gets, the more it costs to treat, the more time off you have to take, and the more pain that you are in. Untreated pain conditions can also lead to osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the number one most common form of arthritis. It is sometimes referred to as a degenerative joint disease or wear and tear arthritis. This condition most frequently occurs in the hips, knees, and hands. Hip pain and knee pain are two of the most common types of pains, yet people never get checked for OA.
Millions of Americans deal daily with chronic pain of their knees, hips, back, neck, and hands. Some attribute these pains to hard work throughout the day and simply deal with it. Others do not have the funds or insurance available to seek treatment. Physical therapy is one of the best treatments for chronic pain. It prevents reinjury and strengthens the injured parts of the body, thus also reducing chronic pain. Physical therapy is also affordable and very time effective.