I don’t agree.
I have seen opioid addicts reform, engage physical therapy and recover from “intractable pain”.
Studies have shown PT works better in 4 of 5 cases. Most people just want the easier solution because PT, too, is painful.
Now, for those with cancer pain that’s a different story all together.
My 40 year old ex was at a pain level of “8 to 9” while on several opiates. She was so doped up she would lose control of her bowels in bed.
The Mayo Clinic dried her out, put her on a Physical Therapy and mind-management regimen, and she came out a month later clean and at a pain level of “3”. She could maintain that pain level if she did her PT (which she didn’t, another story).
Those are facts in one case on one side of the argument. There are lots of other facts and cases on either side. Which is why we ought to look for strategies that minimize the harm and maximize the help without looking to demonize one another.
Send me to PT you get another collapsed spinal disc. PT has collapsed 4 so far. All the Neuropathy pain is from those Collapsed disc. PT is not for everyone. Spinal Degeneration is not treatable, surgery will crumble the spine, screws won’t hold. When you add in Fibromyalgia which is a progressive muscle degenerative disease you can’t rehab muscles or even maintain tone. It even effects your eye muscles.
How are you going to send a Veteran who was gut shot to PT?
PT is not a cure all for many of us. Or we’d over load PT clinics. Most don’t even have a clue how to do PT on us we don’t do well with typical PT. My last session they used Dry Cupping, Stretching, heat/cold and Stim more than actual therapy. Still have a hand that has lost 90% fine motor skills. And I’ve worked the PT daily for a yr besides the 13 weeks I was allowed on Medicare.