How Physical Therapy Could Help Prevent, Treat Opioid Use Disorder
Anne Swisher–professor at the West Virginia University School of Medicine–is working to address opioid misuse in an unconventional way: through physical therapy.
She and her colleagues have enhanced physical therapy instruction at WVU to emphasize the profession’s role in preventing and treating opioid use disorder, WVU notes in a media release.
“Students have different interests and passions within the profession, and they find their niche. No matter what their passion is, there is a way they can make a difference, whether it’s by preventing people from starting down the road of opioids–by minimizing pain medication and doing movement interventions–or whether it’s by helping people in the recovery process become healthier overall.”