Rehabs That Offer Physical Therapy – An In-depth Guide

Navigation:

• Overview
• Why Should Rehabs Offer Physical Therapy?
• Do All Rehabs Offer Physical Therapy?
• How Is Physical Therapy Administered in Rehab?
• Common Reasons for Physical Therapy in Substance Use Rehab
• Physical Therapy for Opioid Addiction
• Finding the Right Physical Therapist in Alcohol and Drug Rehab

Overview

Addiction can take an enormous toll on the body. The physical effects of prolonged and untreated substance use can impact the muscles, joints, ligaments, and overall physical health in numerous ways.

Conversely, injuries that require physical therapy can sometimes lead to opioid use and, in certain cases, addiction. Individuals experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms or long-term medical complications related to substance use disorders may also benefit from physical therapy.

Rehabs that offer physical therapy give patients the opportunity to receive professional treatment for injuries, improve mobility, and address physical health concerns while receiving care for substance use disorders.

Why Should Rehabs Offer Physical Therapy?

Prolonged use of drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine can contribute to muscle weakness, physical deterioration, and complications affecting the musculoskeletal system. Research indicates that individuals with a history of heroin use may experience significant musculoskeletal pain and physical limitations that require comprehensive treatment.

Physical therapy plays an important role in treating injuries, including postsurgical conditions, sports injuries, and muscle or ligament tears. It can also help manage chronic conditions such as arthritis, support recovery from events such as strokes, improve functional mobility, restore range of motion, reduce pain, and strengthen balance and coordination to help prevent falls. Additionally, physical therapy can promote general wellness and help prevent future injuries.

For individuals whose chronic pain has contributed to opioid misuse or addiction, physical therapy may provide an effective, nonpharmacological approach to managing pain and improving physical function.

The early stages of addiction treatment can be particularly challenging for individuals experiencing pain or recovering from injuries. Rehab centers that offer physical therapy can help patients become more comfortable, improve their physical well-being, and better engage in their overall treatment programs.

Do All Rehabs Offer Physical Therapy?

Not all alcohol and drug treatment centers are equipped to provide physical therapy. These specialized clinical services are more commonly available at facilities with comprehensive medical programs or established relationships with outside healthcare providers.

If you need physical therapy as part of your addiction treatment, ask the admissions representative at the facility you are considering about the services available. Some rehab centers provide physical therapy onsite, while others coordinate treatment through outside providers.

In addition to physical therapy, alcohol and drug rehab centers may offer meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and other complementary approaches to help patients manage pain, reduce stress, and support physical recovery.

How Is Physical Therapy Administered in Rehab?

Physical therapy can be provided in both inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment settings. In outpatient rehab, patients may be referred to outside physical therapists while continuing their addiction treatment. In inpatient programs, physical therapists may be part of the onsite medical team or provide services through coordinated appointments.

Patients receive treatment from licensed physical therapists who focus on their individual medical conditions, physical limitations, and rehabilitation goals. Each person’s physical therapy program will vary based on their medical history, fitness level, age, physical abilities, and other factors.

Some common exercises and techniques used in physical therapy include:

• Hamstring stretches
• Quadriceps stretches
• Straight-leg raises
• Strengthening exercises
• Coordination exercises
• Resistance band-assisted external rotations
• Leg extensions
• Range-of-motion exercises
• Backward lunges

Your physical therapist will work with you to identify areas of concern, establish realistic recovery goals, and determine the appropriate exercises and level of treatment intensity.

Common Reasons for Physical Therapy in Substance Use Rehab

Individuals struggling with alcohol and drug addiction may experience a wide range of acute and chronic physical health conditions that require physical therapy, including but not limited to:

• Muscle and joint pain
• Stroke-related impairments
• Paralysis or mobility limitations following an overdose
• Neurological damage affecting motor skills
• Severe injuries and physical trauma

These conditions may result directly from the physical effects of substance use or from injuries sustained during active addiction. Examples include motor vehicle accidents involving impaired driving, falls, physical altercations, and other incidents that can cause significant physical harm.

Physical therapy can help patients regain strength, improve mobility, manage pain, and restore physical functioning as part of a comprehensive addiction recovery plan.

Physical Therapy for Opioid Addiction

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has highlighted the important role physical therapists can play in opioid addiction recovery. Physical therapy may help individuals experiencing persistent or worsening pain following opioid misuse and can provide a nonopioid approach to managing certain types of chronic pain.

For patients recovering from opioid addiction, physical therapy can help improve mobility, restore physical function, and develop healthier strategies for managing pain without relying exclusively on opioid medications.

As part of a comprehensive addiction treatment program, physical therapy may be provided alongside FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine-based medications such as Suboxone and Sublocade, naltrexone (Vivitrol), and methadone. These medications address opioid cravings, withdrawal symptoms, or relapse risk, depending on the medication, while physical therapy focuses on improving physical function and managing pain.

Combining appropriate medical treatment with physical rehabilitation can help patients address both the physical consequences of addiction and the underlying conditions that may contribute to continued substance use.

Finding the Right Physical Therapist in Alcohol and Drug Rehab

Individuals recovering from addiction may face unique physical health challenges, including a condition known as hyperalgesia, which involves increased sensitivity to pain. This condition can occur in individuals who have experienced prolonged opioid exposure and may complicate pain management during recovery.

It is important to find a physical therapist who understands the challenges associated with addiction recovery and has experience treating patients with substance use disorders. A qualified physical therapist can develop an individualized treatment plan that considers your medical history, pain levels, physical limitations, and recovery goals.

Your doctor or addiction treatment provider may be able to recommend a rehab facility that offers physical therapy or refer you to a licensed physical therapist experienced in working with individuals in recovery.

Physical therapy can help individuals recovering from substance use disorders restore strength, improve mobility, increase range of motion, and regain essential physical functions that contribute to a better quality of life. It can also provide nonopioid pain management strategies that may help reduce reliance on potentially addictive medications.

When incorporated into a comprehensive addiction treatment plan, physical therapy can support physical healing, improve overall well-being, and help individuals establish a healthier foundation for long-term recovery.