Alternative Treatments For Musculoskeletal Pain

Physical therapists.  Citations for pictures at end of post.

Here is a refreshing article suggesting that instead of just prescribing medication, doctors should suggest exercise therapy and "psychosocial interventions" - a change from the 'quick fix" attitude of just popping a pill to solve very problem.  The conclusion of the abstract:

This review presents a comprehensive summary and critical assessment of current evidence for the treatment of pain presentations in primary care. The evidence synthesis of interventions for common musculoskeletal pain presentations shows moderate-strong evidence for exercise therapy and psychosocial interventions, with short-term benefits only from pharmacological treatments. Future research into optimal dose and application of the most promising treatments is needed.

Citations for pictures:

By _US_Navy_100723-N-7214P-020_Machinist's_Mate_Fireman_George_F._Avinger_practices_cone_drills_during_physical_therapy_in_the_Comprehensive_Combat_and_Complex_Casualty_Care_facility_at_Naval_Medical_Center_San_Diego.jpg: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anastasia Puscian_US_Navy_090508-F-7885G-021_Staff_Sgt._Hugo_Reiner,_a_physical_therapy_craftsman_aboard_the_Military_Sealift_Command_hospital_ship_USNS_Comfort_(T-AH_20),_makes_a_wrist_brace_for_Teresa_De_la_Pena_during_a_Continuing_Promise_200.jpg: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle GrannanUS_Navy_070917-N-8704K-072_Lt._Gwen_Smith,_attached_to_Military_Sealift_Command_hospital_ship_USNS_Comfort_(T-AH_20),_performs_physical_therapy_for_Marcus_Pryce_at_the_Arima_Health_Facility.jpg: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Karsten_US_Navy_070706-N-8704K-101_Lt._Gwen_Smith,_attached_to_Military_Sealift_Command_hospital_ship_USNS_Comfort_(T-AH_20),_performs_physical_therapy_with_the_help_of_translator_Zoela_Armstrong_at_the_Paul_Brown_Arena.jpg: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Karsten_US_Navy_081610-A-6522B-002_Physical_therapist_Lt._Cmdr._Mitchel_Ideue,_Officer_in_Charge_of_Inpatient_Services_at_Landstuhl_Regional_Medical_Center,_in_Landstuhl,_Germany,_gives_Army_Sgt._Charlie_McCall_a_physical_therapy_trea.jpg: U.S. Navy photo_US_Navy_091003-N-8960W-011_Gunner's_Mate_2nd_Class_Patrick_Cornwell_undergoes_an_exam_by_Lt._Cristi_Zohlen_to_document_his_shoulder_pain_in_the_physical_therapy_clinic_aboard_the_aircraft_carrier_USS_Nimitz_(CVN_68).jpg: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert Winn_US_Navy_020128-N-6077T-008_CVN_74_crew_member_receives_medical_treatment_aboard_ship.jpg: U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Kevin H. Tierneyderivative work: Jnyles (talk) - _US_Navy_100723-N-7214P-020_Machinist's_Mate_Fireman_George_F._Avinger_practices_cone_drills_during_physical_therapy_in_the_Comprehensive_Combat_and_Complex_Casualty_Care_facility_at_Naval_Medical_Center_San_Diego.jpg_US_Navy_090508-F-7885G-021_Staff_Sgt._Hugo_Reiner,_a_physical_therapy_craftsman_aboard_the_Military_Sealift_Command_hospital_ship_USNS_Comfort_(T-AH_20),_makes_a_wrist_brace_for_Teresa_De_la_Pena_during_a_Continuing_Promise_200.jpgUS_Navy_070917-N-8704K-072_Lt._Gwen_Smith,_attached_to_Military_Sealift_Command_hospital_ship_USNS_Comfort_(T-AH_20),_performs_physical_therapy_for_Marcus_Pryce_at_the_Arima_Health_Facility.jpg_US_Navy_070706-N-8704K-101_Lt._Gwen_Smith,_attached_to_Military_Sealift_Command_hospital_ship_USNS_Comfort_(T-AH_20),_performs_physical_therapy_with_the_help_of_translator_Zoela_Armstrong_at_the_Paul_Brown_Arena.jpg_US_Navy_081610-A-6522B-002_Physical_therapist_Lt._Cmdr._Mitchel_Ideue,_Officer_in_Charge_of_Inpatient_Services_at_Landstuhl_Regional_Medical_Center,_in_Landstuhl,_Germany,_gives_Army_Sgt._Charlie_McCall_a_physical_therapy_trea.jpg_US_Navy_091003-N-8960W-011_Gunner's_Mate_2nd_Class_Patrick_Cornwell_undergoes_an_exam_by_Lt._Cristi_Zohlen_to_document_his_shoulder_pain_in_the_physical_therapy_clinic_aboard_the_aircraft_carrier_USS_Nimitz_(CVN_68).jpg_US_Navy_020128-N-6077T-008_CVN_74_crew_member_receives_medical_treatment_aboard_ship.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14511419