Let’s connect the dots and get you the clarity you’ve been looking for.
Do you want to live free from painkillers?
Living while taking painkillers for a long period of time is not real living.
Experts say the United States is in the throes of an opioid epidemic, with more than two million of Americans have become dependent on or abused prescription pain pills and street drugs.
Opioids are drugs formulated to replicate the pain reducing properties of opium. This causes the part of the brain that controls pain and emotion to feel a sense of euphoria. This leaves you wanting the same feeling. Opioids include both legal painkillers like morphine, oxycodone, or hydrocodone, which is prescribed by doctors for pain. They also include illegal drugs like heroin or illicitly made fentanyl.
The Crisis
The number of opioid prescriptions dispensed by doctors has steadily increased from 112 million prescriptions in 1992 to a peak of 282 million in 2012, according to the market research firm IMS Health. The number of prescriptions dispensed has since declined, falling to 236 million in 2016.
About 15 percent of people who take prescription painkillers for a week are still taking them a year later. At two weeks, that number jumps to more than 25 percent. And one out of three people who take these meds for a month wind up becoming long-term users.
Last year, the CDC released guidelines advising doctors not to prescribe more than three days’ worth of opioids for most patients. That’s because there’s little evidence that they help with anything other than short-term pain. Plus, they carry serious risks of addiction, accidental overdose, and even death. This is especially true when taken at higher doses or used longer term.
But the severity of those risks has only recently come to light. And this new study suggests that doctors are still routinely prescribing seven, 14, or even 30 days’ worth of the drugs.
We have found that every day you continue to take opioids decreases the odds that you will stop. We don’t think when clinicians or patients are considering using opioids for a week or two, or even a month. They realize how high the risk is of getting stuck on the drugs.
Our scientifically proven 4 step program helps to combat the painkiller crisis and solve the real cause of the problem.
But after day three, it’s surprising how rapidly the risk of becoming a chronic opioid user starts to rise.
Have you found it difficult to stop taking painkillers?
Even people who aren’t “addicted” to prescription painkillers can become physically dependent on them. This means that people who take the medication exactly as prescribed can still suffer withdrawal symptoms. These include worsened pain, severe stomach upset, muscle aches, flulike symptoms, anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness when they try to stop.
Indeed, up to one out of four people who take painkillers for longer than three months show signs of having become addicted to the drugs, according to the CDC. And almost everyone who takes prescription painkillers for more than two weeks becomes physically dependent on the drugs.
To make matters worse, the pain-relieving effect tends to diminish over time. For some people, painkillers even intensify their perception of pain.
That can leave people feeling trapped. Patients taking painkillers long term may not be getting significant pain relief but may stay on them because they feel miserable if they try to stop.
Safer Use of Prescription Painkillers
After surgery or an injury most people can transition to safer over-the-counter painkillers within three days. Few people need powerful prescription painkillers for more than a week.
For longer-term pain, the CDC recommends making non-drug measures such as exercise, cognitive behavior therapy, and rehabilitation programs the centerpiece of your treatment program.
Beyond that, if you need medication for your pain, painkillers are often not the best choice. They do not fix the underlying issue, but mask the pain, only to come back after it wears off.
If you have been taking painkillers for more than a couple of weeks and want to quit, we advise against going cold turkey, which could trigger withdrawal. Instead, work with your doctor to gradually wean yourself off these narcotic pain drugs and speak to one of our physical therapy specialists to discuss NATURAL options you may have to help solve the root cause of your problem.
Do I need a script to come to PT?
All 50 states, California included, have some form of direct access law. This means you can see a physical therapist without a prescription. In the state of California, there are no restrictions on access to PT services.
Who are we?
We are Level4 PT & Wellness, and we do things a little bit differently. When you work with us, you will always receive one-on-one care with a physical therapist you can trust. Our specialists are never double booked so their attention is right where it belongs, on you and your family.
We are open-minded and driven to achieve superior outcomes. Following dogma in treatment can lead you to miss important details. We seamlessly connect multiple world-renowned systems to make sure that nothing is missed, and to streamline your recovery. Our scientifically proven four-step process integrates our four levels of rehabilitation with our performance pyramid, and top-notch diagnostic exams.
What does this mean for you? It means we help our clients get out of pain by finding the root cause of the problem and get back to doing what they love – guaranteed.
Next steps so you can live free from painkillers
Schedule a no pressure discovery session to see if you feel we’re the right fit for you, and to get expert advice so you can make the best informed and logical decision for your health. We will help you finally get some clear answers and discuss the best solutions available to you, even if it’s not with us. We understand that finding quality care is a challenge, that’s why the first session is always on us.
What are you waiting for? If you are in the “pursuit of better” and want to find out more information on other natural and holistic options. Call now at 760-503-4440 or click the button below to fill out the simple form. Then, we will call you!
For more than 16 years, thousands of athletes, fitness enthusiasts and active people of all ages, levels and sports including Olympic medalists, professional, collegiate and recreational athletes have consulted Oscar; looking for answers to concerning questions about a fast end to their pain and best ways to improving performance.
Prior to living in Carlsbad, CA, he worked as Clinic Director for a 20,000 sq.ft. sports physical therapy and performance center. He became known as the “athlete whisperer” in the Pacific Northwest by becoming the leading sports performance enhancement physical therapist and CrossFit injury rehab and performance specialist. He also was known as a consultant to the Nike WHQ in Portland, OR.
Oscar’s passion for excelling in sports earned him the opportunity to compete in soccer both at the Division 1 collegiate level at the University of San Francisco and at the professional level playing for the California Jaguars; giving him the understanding and experience of knowing what it takes to perform and excel at the highest level of competition. Oscar is an orthopedic and sports performance specialist with a true passion for helping athletes and fitness fanatics of all ages and divisions, serving as an educator to bridge the gap between rehab and strength and conditioning.
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