By any chance, have your friends told you that their insurance company required them to have a certain amount of physical therapy before they would authorize surgery? Why do you think that they do that? You may assume that they are trying to save money. But perhaps they are also trying to pursue an alternative that will give a better outcome for the patient.

Studies have shown that physical therapy can be as effective as surgery in providing pain relief for some lower back conditions, such as spinal stenosis. The New England Journal of Medicine published a study that found physical therapy to be as effective as surgery for treating meniscal tears and knee osteoarthritis.

New studies show that physical therapy is just as good as, if not better than, surgery in most cases. There are many benefits to physical therapy vs surgery that make it a better treatment option, but you must choose the best option for based on your individual circumstances.

If you come in for a consultation at our office, we can advise you of your choices. If an MRI and a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon are warranted, we will advise you of that. However, perhaps surgery can be avoided.

Advanced Medical of Florida provides you with the medical care you need.  For more information, go to our web site http://www.amfhealthcare.com or call (727) 408-5222.

This month we are highlighting our Interventional Pain Management Department!

Our pain management team’s main goal is getting patients pain relief without surgery or opioids. There are many well-known potential side effects of surgery and opioids, so finding solutions with less risk is of tremendous value to our patients.

Our pain management team is proficient in helping people with a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

• Knee pain
• Back or neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Hip pain
• Chronic pain
• Distal joint pain in the elbows, wrists, hands, and ankles
• Motor vehicle accidents

Some of our treatment options include ultrasound-guided or fluoroscopic-guided injections, prescribing braces such as a back or knee brace, modifying medications, and ordering imaging such as X-rays or MRIs.

Our pain management team has availability during the week and on selective Saturdays by appointment.

Feel free to call us today if you would like a no-charge consultation with our medical pain management team.

Advanced Medical of Florida provides you with the medical care you need.  For more information, go to our web site http://www.amfhealthcare.com or call (727) 408-5222.