A neck or back injury can cause debilitating pain. Whether the injury is acute or chronic, the disruption to daily life is almost unavoidable. When certain nerves in the neck or the back are injured, the pain is not just excruciating but can even extend to other areas of the body such as the shoulder, leg, and arm. More often than not, patients don’t just need treatment for this type of permeating pain but desperately want it for relief. So where is the best place to seek treatment for a neck or back injury? In the past, physical therapy may not have been a patient’s first thought, but it is now considered a first-line intervention for this type of injury.
Physical therapy has continued to gain notoriety as a proven non-invasive, drug-free approach to effectively manage and reduce neck and back pain when surgery is not needed. Physical therapy has repeatedly been shown to improve a patient’s quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. Additionally, direct access physical therapy now makes receiving fast, effective physical therapy even easier. Direct access physical therapy means that there is no need for a physician referral to access services. A patient can contact a physical therapist directly for an evaluation. Direct access gives the choice of treatment back to the patient and there are many benefits to this “the choice is yours” type of patient care.
Some Benefits of Direct Access Physical Therapy for Neck/Back Injuries:
- Save Money – beginning neck or back injury treatment with a physical therapist has been shown to lower the cost of care initially and over time while still producing similar improvements in patient pain and discomfort.
- Save Time – choosing direct access physical therapy allows most patients the ability to see a physical therapist the same day of their injury if needed/wanted. Treating injuries as soon as possible often speeds up the healing process.
- Avoid Surgery – consulting a physical therapist first can help to determine if the neck or back injury can be treated conservatively. Physical therapists are highly skilled and qualified to offer a clinical diagnosis. They are trained to ask the right questions of their patients. If further intervention or surgery is needed, the physical therapist can recommend qualified physicians.
Physical therapy can make a big difference in the quality of life while saving patients time and money. If you or a loved one is suffering from a neck or back injury, reach out to our office today.
ACE Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Institute was founded on the principles of high ethical standards, integrity, honesty, and professionalism. When you step inside one of their eight convenient locations in the Washington Metro area, your goal becomes theirs: returning you to your normal lifestyle as quickly and safely as possible.
