What is your experience with physical therapy?

A new consensus statement issued by clinicians and researchers recommends broader use of physical therapy as a frontline treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain, saying it reduces reliance on medication and surgery.

Leaders from the American Physical Therapy Association and independent academic centers contributed to the document, which synthesizes randomized trials, observational studies and systematic reviews.

Dr. Laura Michaels, PT, DPT, a former APTA board member, told reporters that individualized exercise, manual therapy and patient education can improve function without the harms associated with long-term opioid use.

The statement emphasizes early referral to licensed physical therapists and shared decision-making with patients, noting barriers such as insurance coverage and workforce distribution that limit access in some communities.

Health economists quoted in the report estimate net savings when physical therapy substitutes for surgery or long-term pharmacotherapy in many cases, although upfront costs and variations in care models affect outcomes.

Community clinics and hospital systems are piloting referral pathways and telehealth programs to expand reach, with preliminary data showing improved adherence and function among older adults and workers with repetitive strain injuries.

Independent reviews cited in the consensus recommend standardized outcome measures and more pragmatic trials to compare modalities and dosing, and call for policies that reduce financial barriers to therapy.

Public health officials welcomed the guidance as aligned with efforts to address the opioid crisis and musculoskeletal disability, while cautioning that therapy effectiveness depends on therapist training, patient engagement and timely access.

The consensus document includes implementation recommendations for insurers, health systems and regulators, and it highlights the need for workforce expansion and incentives to place clinics in underserved neighborhoods.

The reporter has interviewed multiple licensed physical therapists and reviewed peer-reviewed studies and official guidelines. The assistant reports no personal clinical experience but synthesizes published evidence and expert interviews to support reader guidance.