Physical Therapy is the conservative more economical approach to back pain treatment
A recent article in the Washington Post ” Oh, my aching wallet: MRI instead of physical therapy for low back pain leads to $4,793 higher price”, quotes recent research that has shown shows the significant cost difference between other medical treatments for back pain vs. physical therapy. A nearly $5000 difference!
While there is a time and a place for MRI, injections, and surgical procedures, often the first choice can be physical therapy. Often during the course of treatment a physical therapist may recommend that a patient seek there physician for a more comprehensive examination and treatment for the condition.
Physical therapy helps address the underlying problem and help educate the patient, while other more expensive treatments tend to focus on alleviating the symptoms and at times doesn’t correct what caused the problem in the first place. If you are considering the more conservative and more economical approach to treating your back pain, give physical therapy a try!