Physical therapy versus pain killer
Generally it is thought that we should take medicine to cure all the diseases. Nonetheless, it would not be a great idea to take medicine in every physical problem for example physical pain. Because, modern world is stressing on adverse effect free treatment procedures as it is not desirable to accept harm of body to cure a disease. Physical pain like neck, back, lower back, knee pain or shoulder pain is very common among middle, old even young aged people. Non steroid anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicines are widely used to cure pain though it has moderate to severe side effect.
Which part of the body mostly affected by pain
Lower back and neck pain are more common, knee pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, pain in heel are also bother our everyday activities. People who cross forty are widely affected by physical pain. Additionally, sedentary office worker and people who use private and public transport to go and come from office facing unbearable traffic congestion are more prone to get physical pain. Furthermore, diabetic patients and heavy weight lifter could get physical pain.
How pain killer works
Body cells secrete chemical substances which work by following some theories (for example Pain Gate Theory) try to reduce inflammation of particular region. However, substances of pain killer spread through blood using stomach and kidneys. Thus, it may produce or exacerbate ulcer of pain killer taker. Additionally, kidneys could catch permanent damage if it secretes particles of pain killer for long time.
On the other hand, if a person take NSAID for neck pain it would reach other healthy part of our body through blood, thus it could produce adverse effect to healthy part of our body. So, it can be concluded that taking pain killer for extended period of time must harm our body.
How physiotherapy works
Physiotherapy does not need any pathway to go for action. It uses locally on trigger point of affected area. Physiotherapy aims not only reducing pain but also eradicate the cause of pain. For example, a patient is suffering from PLID, a nerve has been entrapped and producing pain in lower back and radiating to leg.
Pain killer only have the ability to reduce pain but it has no ability to release the pressure which particular nerve root experiencing. However, Electrotherapy has the properties to reduce acute or chronic pain and manipulative physiotherapy can free the pressure of nerve root. In addition, therapeutic exercise can help to maintain proper body posture to prevent further damage. Physiotherapy is absolutely side effect free as it never involves kidney or stomach.
Physiotherapy for other conditions: Other than pain relief, Physiotherapy is effective in stroke paralysis and Bells palsy management. If you can start physiotherapy along with steroid and anti-virus medicine cure pace of Bells palsy would be faster. In stroke paralysis physiotherapy has unique role.
Where to take physiotherapy
First condition of proper physiotherapy is accuracy of diagnosis. It would not be possible to provide correct treatment unless condition is properly diagnosed. For example, a patient can experience neck or shoulder pain due to cardiac malfunction of hyper tension. In such case, physiotherapy would be a wrong option. Some mal-practitioners apply massage or non-scientific stretching to reduce pain but this may produce worst result. So it is advisable that patient should take physiotherapy from qualified experienced physiotherapy specialist. Taking physiotherapy from so called unauthorized physiotherapy center is not recommended.
Conclusion
It is requested to the general patients that please do not take physiotherapy as an advice or optional treatment. If you take physiotherapy, be sure it must have to be proper, scientific and evidence based. Such physiotherapy only can ameliorate your sufferings.
Dr. Mohammad Ali
Head, Department of Physiotherapy
Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital
Email: [email protected]
