This article reviews the complexities of the opioid epidemic, considering recent research involving the current state of the opioid epidemic; chronic pain and its role in the crisis; the properties of opioids and how they interact with human neurobiology; the effectiveness and risks of opioids as a treatment for chronic pain; opioid addiction and dependence; and pharmacological and psychological interventions for opioid addiction, opioid dependence, and chronic pain management. Opioid abuse can be reduced with the availability and access to treatment facilities for opioid detoxification; using interdisciplinary treatment models for chronic pain, opioid addiction and dependence; conducting more research in the areas of opioid addiction and opioid dependence; and shifting to an increase in nonpharmacological, less invasive treatments for pain.
Aim People suffering with chronic pain have a decreased quality of life in both the physical and psychosocial dimensions. Popular treatment methods for a chronic pain patient are opioid prescriptions and surgery, which may not be beneficial to long‐term outcomes in chronic pain patients, and may actually result in reducing a patient's overall health. Purpose This review will examine the role of the physical therapist in treating chronic pain patients in regard to the biopsychosocial model. Reviewing chronic pain through a biopsychosocial perspective, screening, evaluation, intervention selection, and problems with programs adherence in regard to chronic pain patients in physical therapy will be discussed. Psychosocial components of chronic pain including fear of movement and depression are also examined in how they can hinder or interfere with physical therapy treatment and evaluation. Conclusion When treating chronic pain patients, applying the biopsychosocial perspective to physical therapy with a focus on restoring physical function could provide the least invasive treatment for chronic pain patients with optimal outcomes.
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