Early physical therapy benefits low-back pain patients: Analysis of 150k claims shows health, cost upsides

Patients with low-back pain are better off seeing a physical therapist first, according to a study of 150,000 insurance claims. The study, published in Health Services Research, found that those who saw a physical therapist at the first point of care had an 89 percent lower probability of receiving an opioid prescription, a 28 percent lower probability of having advanced imaging services, and a 15 percent lower probability of an emergency department visit — but a 19 percent higher probability of hospitalization.

Physical Therapy Journal (PTJ) Special Issue Highlights Effectiveness of Nonopioid Approaches to Pain

April 16, 2018: Early utilization of physical therapist treatment can reduce opioid use and downstream health care costs. That’s just one important takeaway from the latest edition of Physical Therapy (PTJ), the official scientific journal of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), which today published a special issue devoted to nonpharmacological pain management.

Personalized physical therapy brings relief for lower back pain

Impaired movement control may result in chronic lower back pain. A new study shows that the combination of manual therapy and exercise is an excellent way to combat movement control impairment in the lower back. This combination reduced the disability experienced by patients and significantly improved their functional ability.

How Balance Training for Seniors Can Reduce Falls

Every 19 minutes in the U.S., an older adult dies from a fall, according to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Every 11 seconds, meanwhile, a senior receives emergency room treatment due to a fall. All in all, a full third of Americans aged 65 and older fall every year.

Balance training seems to prevent falls, injuries in seniors – Harvard Health Blog

Most people take balance for granted. They navigate without thinking, effort, or fear. For millions of others, though, poor balance is a problem. Some struggle with long-term dizziness or imbalance. Others suffer balance-related falls and injuries. A new study concludes that exercise can reduce not only the odds of falling but the odds of sustaining fall-related injuries.