FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM NOVEMBER 15, 2018 • WELLNESS • THE QUEENS COURIER 47
wellness
Safe and eff ective: Choose physical therapy for your back pain
If you’re living with low back pain
(LBP), you’re not alone. Th e condition is
the leading cause of disability in the U.S.
Studies show 80 percent of American
adults will experience LBP at some point
in their lives. If LBP turns from short-
term to chronic (lasting three months or
longer), it can impact your overall quality
of life.
Modern society craves quick- fi x solutions
to even complex problems, but this
mindset can be particularly counterproductive
when it comes to LBP. Studies
show that LBP is oft en overtreated, particularly
when it comes to the use of opioids,
imaging scans (such as MRIs and
X -rays), and surgery. Guidelines recommend
fi rst trying exercise and other conservative
approaches instead.
“When it comes to low back pain,
the best advice is to move,” said APTA
spokesperson Colleen Louw, PT, MEd.
“Most low back pain will resolve on its
own and responds positively to increased
movement and regular exercise.”
As America seeks solutions to its ongoing
opioid epidemic, patients and prescribers
should be especially cautious
about treating LBP with opioids. Opioids
come with a list of serious potential side
eff ects, and every day more than 1,000
people are treated in emergency departments
for opioid misuse. Meanwhile,
long -term use of opioids might not be
particularly helpful for LBP, which is
why the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) released guidelines
urging the use of safer alternatives,
including physical therapy, for most
non-cancer-related chronic pain conditions.
“Given the substantial evidence gaps
on opioids, uncertain benefi ts of long -
-term use and potential for serious harm,
patient education and discussion before
starting opioid therapy are critical so that
patient preferences and values can be
understood and used to inform clinical
decisions,” the CDC states.
Physical therapists can play a valuable
role in the patient education process,
including setting realistic expectations for
recovery with or without opioids.
Physical therapists are movement
experts who optimize quality of life
through prescribed exercise, hands-on
care and patient education.
A physical therapist will perform a
thorough evaluation that includes:
• A review of your health history.
• Questions about your specifi c symptoms.
• A thorough examination that includes
assessing the quality and quantity of
your movements, and any movement
behaviors that might put you at risk for
delayed recovery.
• Tests to identify signs or symptoms that
could indicate a serious health problem,
such as broken bones or cancer.
• Assessment of how you use your body
at work, home, during sports and at leisure.
An active treatment plan from a physical
therapist can help you improve your
mobility while managing your pain,
whereas opioids only mask the sensation
of pain.
Here are four reasons to choose physical
therapy for your back pain:
Physical therapy is a safe and eff ective
alternative to opioids. While doctor-
prescribed opioids are appropriate in
some cases, choosing a safer alternative,
like physical therapy, eliminates the risk
of misuse and avoids the potential negative
side eff ects. Your physical therapist
will set realistic expectations for recovery,
with or without opioids.
Physical therapists help you help yourself.
Physical therapists empower you to be
an active participant in your own treatment.
Depending on the severity of your pain,
your therapist may work collaboratively
with other health professionals to ensure a
comprehensive course of treatment.
Physical therapy is cost eff ective. A
recent study shows patients with LBP who
consult physical therapists early in their
treatment processes incur lower out- ofpocket
medical costs, with less probability
of accruing expenses associated with opioid
prescriptions, advanced imaging services
or emergency room visits.
Physical therapy is accessible. You do
not need a physician referral to access
physical therapists’ services in the U.S.
When it comes to your health, you
have a choice. Choose more movement
and better health - choose physical therapy.
To fi nd more information and a
physical therapist in your area, visit
MoveForwardPT.com.
Courtesy BPT
Hepatitis C testing important for veterans
When you go to the doctor for a physical,
you’ll probably have a variety of
tests done to check for health concerns
like blood pressure and cholesterol.
One important test you should consider
requesting is for hepatitis C. Why? A
simple blood test now could save your life
and potentially the lives of others.
What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C (hep C) is the most common
chronic blood-borne infection
in the United States with an estimated
3.5 million people living with the disease,
according to the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services. Hep C
aff ects the liver and is caused by the hep
C virus. Left untreated, a hep C infection
can attack and kill cells in the liver.
Hep C is typically spread when a person
is exposed to an infected person’s blood.
Th is could be from something as simple
as sharing a razor or toothbrush. Keep in
mind, hep C is not spread through food
or water, or by sitting on toilet seats.
Data suggest that veterans are at a
higher risk for hep C exposure. In fact,
one out of every 20 veterans enrolled in
the Veterans Health Administration has
hep C - more than three times the infection
rate of the general U.S. population,
according to the
U.S. Department
of Veterans Aff airs
(VA).
The American
Legion, the nation’s
largest wartime
veterans service
organization, has
joined forces with
AbbVie, a global
biopharmaceutical
company, to
increase awareness
of hep C and provide
free antibody
testing for veterans
and their communities. Visit legion.org/
hepC to learn about the disease and get
information about free testing.
Hep C symptoms and tests
Some common symptoms of hep C
include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite,
nausea, vomiting, jaundice, abdominal
pain, joint pain, dark urine and gray-colored
stools. However, the majority of
people with hep C do not have any symptoms
and unless they are tested, do not
know they are carrying the virus. Th is is
why it’s important to request the test proactively.
Th e VA has treated more patients for
hep C than any major health care system
in the U.S. Approximately 357 veterans
are started on treatment every week.
Getting tested for hep C is important
for all veterans, but there are other people
who are at a higher risk for exposure
that should also be tested. Th e Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommends hep C testing for:
• Everyone born from 1945 to 1965
• Anyone who received clotting factor
concentrates made before 1987
• Recipients of blood transfusions or solid
organ transplants prior to July 1992
• Long-term hemodialysis patients
• People with known exposures to the
hep C virus, such as health care workers
or public safety workers, aft er needle
sticks involving blood from someone
infected with the hep C virus
• Current or former injection drug users,
including those who injected only once
many years ago
• People with HIV infection
• Children born to mothers with hep C
Hep C can be treated
Aft er getting tested, if you learn you
are positive for hep C you have treatment
options. Hep C is a curable disease, meaning
for some people the hep C virus is
not detectable in the blood three months
aft er treatment ends. Talk with your doctor
about the best treatments for you and
steps you can take to prevent the spread
of the virus.
Being diagnosed with hep C is
life-changing, but it’s also empowering.
With this important information you can
now take control of your future and
choose the right treatment so you can live
a long, full life.
Courtesy BPT