Alternative treatment plans for at-risk patients may curb the development of long-standing musculoskeletal pain, a leading cause of disability.
UF Researchers have identified a patient-screening process for physical therapists and clinicians to identify patients at risk of developing persistent pain. This screening process may allow clinicians to pursue alternative treatment plans for those patients for whom standard treatment could lead to chronic pain and possible long-term opioid use.
“This is a real opportunity for physical therapy and other nonpharmacological treatments to help prevent patients from transitioning to chronic pain,” said Jason Beneciuk, Ph.D., D.P.T., M.P.H., a research assistant professor in the department of physical therapy in the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions.