Physio Vs. Opioids
How Physiotherapy Helps With Pain Management Instead of Surgeries, Injections & Pain Medications.
Non-Addictive
Minimal Side Effects
Addresses Root Cause
Improves Range of Motion
Can Prevent Further Injury
Promotes Overall Physical Health
Improves Mental Health
Long-Term Results
Opioids Crisis in Canada
We have a notion that Prescription Medications are safe and effective for acute and chronic pain. In rare extreme cases, prescription medication can help with certain conditions but in the majority of situations, if you experience pain, it’s best to look at Physiotherapy and other Modalities to help Diagnose and Treat the Root Cause and not hide the Symptoms.
There were more than 2,800 Opioid-Related Deaths in Canada in 2016.
The use of Opioids has grown in Canada and has reached a Crisis Level. Toronto, GTA & the Media are increasing awareness regarding the Risks of Opioids. Opioid-Based Medicine has been associated with a High Risk of Dependency, Side Effects of long-term use, and a significant increase in related Deaths. The benefits of painkillers decline over time and leave the root cause untreated while putting your Health & Well-Being at Risk.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Using Opioids
Canadians are the second-highest consumers of opioids in the world, after the United States.
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There were more than 2,800 Opioid-Related Deaths in Canada in 2016.
What Is An Opioid?
Opioids are a class of drugs that include both illegal substances, such as Heroin, and prescription medications like Oxycodone and Morphine.
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An opioid is any substance, naturally occurring or human-made, that has a similar biochemical action as opium poppy. Morphine, Codeine, Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Oxycodone (Oxycontin and Percocet), and more are examples of opioid-based painkillers.
Opioids are often used medically to treat pain, but they also have a high potential for addiction and abuse. Misuse of opioids can lead to serious health problems, including respiratory issues, depression, overdose, and death. Because of the risks associated with their use, opioids should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.
How Does an Opioid Work?
Opioids bind to specific receptors in our brain and spinal cord. They work by reducing the perception of pain and producing feelings of pleasure and relaxation.
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After prolonged exposure to opioids, our brain cells become less responsive to them, which means a higher drug dose is needed for the same effect. Opioid use leads to long-lasting changes in the brain. Opioids do not fix the root cause of symptoms but only reduce the sensation of pain.
Opioid Harm, Risk & Effect
Opioids can create physical dependence, which can lead to addiction. Once someone becomes addicted to opioids, they will continue to seek out the drug, despite the harm it causes. Apart from addiction, there are side effects:
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- Potential Respiratory Failure
- Depression
- Chronic Constipation
- Osteoporosis
- Overall Increased Risk of Death and More Pain
Choosing Physiotherapy Instead of Opioids
Physiotherapy is used for pain management all over the world. It can help alleviate pain without medication, injections, surgery, recovery time, or side effects.
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Physiotherapists implement different types of methods, such as Massage, Manipulation, Manual Therapy, Dry Needling, and specialized equipment, to treat Pain, Restore Movement, and Improve Quality of Life. Equipment can be used for Inflammation, Fractures, Stiffness & Soreness of tissue while promoting a natural healing process.
Physiotherapy Can Help with a Variety of Conditions, such as:
- Arthritis
- Back & Neck Pain
- Carpel Tunnel
- Delayed Bone Healing
- Fractures
- Frozen Shoulder
- Heel Spur
- Hip & Joint Issues
- Injuries & Much More
You can check out our Physiotherapy Page for more information.
Benefits of Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a personalized approach to pain management, where a therapist works with the patient to identify the Root Cause of their pain and develop an individualized treatment plan.
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Benefits Include:
- Assessment of how your body responds to treatment.
- Identifying & diagnosing additional health issues
- Improvement of overall health and quality of life.
- Improve & restore movement.
- Manipulation of joints & soft tissue for better mobilization.
- Decreases pain & prevents other health issues.
- Effective for lower back, shoulder, hip & knee pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia & more.
- An alternative to surgery for many conditions (meniscal tears, knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tears, spinal stenosis, degenerative disk disease & more).
- Offers fast post-surgery and post-injury recovery time.
- Internationally, physiotherapy is recognized as a safe and effective alternative for pain and is recommended.
Physio Equipment & Pain Management
Physiotherapy is a non-invasive, drug-free approach to pain management that aims to improve function & mobility by using exercises, manual therapy, and other techniques. Physiotherapy equipment can be used to provide passive and active treatments that help reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle tension.
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Our Devices Include:
- Magnetic Biostimulation (Combitron): helps with non-union fractures, sports injuries, bone healing, acute & chronic inflammation & much more.
- Infrared DOME & Body Wrap: helps with arthritis, detox, relaxation, cellulite & much more.
- Radial Shockwave Therapy: helps with golf & tennis elbow, fractures, heel spur & much more.
- 3D Interferential Current: helps with muscle spasms, pain, inflammation, swelling, & much more.
- Compression Therapy: helps with lymphoedema, varicose veins, fibromyalgia, detox, muscle spasms, cellulite & much more.
- Therapeutic Infrared Laser: helps with joint problems, tendonitis, hip problems & much more.
- Dry Needling: helps with joint & disc issues, muscle & tendon issues, carpal tunnel, frozen shoulder, neck & back pain, sciatica & more.
All the above-mentioned equipment, services, and more are available at the Art of Life Health Centre. This state-of-the-art technology has been imported from all over the world, including places like Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Israel, the US & Australia.