Why #ChoosePT? How Physical Therapy Reduces the Need for Opioids

The opioid epidemic continues to be one of the most urgent public health crises in the United States. According to the CDC, over 76% of drug overdose deaths in 2023 involved an opioid, and millions of patients still receive opioid prescriptions each year for pain management. For rehabilitation providers across settings, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health, occupational health, assisted living, and more, the question is clear: how do we help patients manage pain effectively without creating long-term dependency?

That’s where the #ChoosePT movement comes in. Championed by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), #ChoosePT emphasizes the value of physical therapy as a first-line, evidence-based alternative to opioids for pain management. At NARA, we stand alongside APTA in this mission, advocating for therapy providers who are uniquely positioned to address pain, restore function, and improve quality of life, without the risks that come with opioids.

Why #ChoosePT? The Evidence Is Clear

Physical therapy (PT) is more than an intervention after injury; it’s a proactive, non-invasive, and highly effective approach to pain management and recovery. Study data from Health Services Research shows that:

Patients with low back pain who receive physical therapy early are 89% less likely to be prescribed opioids.
Early PT intervention is linked to lower healthcare costs and better long-term outcomes compared to delayed care.
PT provides patients with tools for self-management, something medication alone cannot do.

Unlike opioids, which temporarily mask symptoms, physical therapy addresses the root causes of pain through movement, strength, and education. For providers, this translates into better outcomes, reduced readmissions, and improved patient satisfaction.

The Power of Early Intervention in Pain Management

Timing matters. Research consistently shows that early referral to PT can:

Prevent the transition from acute to chronic pain.
Reduce the need for imaging, injections, and medications.
Improve recovery trajectories and functional outcomes.

For common conditions such as:

Low back and neck pain
Arthritis and joint pain
Post-surgical recovery
Sports and workplace injuries

Physical therapy offers a direct pathway to mobility, strength, and lasting relief. Early PT not only reduces opioid prescriptions but also prevents patients from entering the cycle of dependency in the first place.

Non-Opioid Strategies That Physical Therapy Offers

Rehabilitation professionals bring a multimodal toolkit to pain management. Unlike a prescription, PT interventions are tailored to each patient’s condition, lifestyle, and goals.

Common strategies include:

Exercise therapy and functional training – improving strength, mobility, and endurance.
Manual therapy – hands-on techniques to reduce pain and improve joint and soft tissue mobility.
Patient education – teaching strategies for posture, ergonomics, pacing, and safe movement.
Self-management strategies – empowering patients with home exercise programs and coping techniques.
Behavioral integration – addressing fear-avoidance, catastrophizing, and mindset around pain.

These approaches reduce reliance on medication, improve adherence, and foster long-term independence.

Learn More About the Power of Physical Therapy

Rehab Providers Across All Settings Play a Role

The fight against opioid overuse is not limited to outpatient PT. Every rehabilitation setting offers opportunities for opioid-sparing care:

Outpatient Clinics: Provide early access for musculoskeletal pain, preventing unnecessary prescriptions.
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs): Offer safe recovery strategies post-surgery and pain management to reduce opioid dependence in older adults.
Home Health: Deliver individualized pain management and mobility interventions directly in the home environment.
Assisted and Independent Living: Promote independence while reducing reliance on medications through mobility programs and fall prevention.
Occupational Health and Workplace Programs: Support injured workers in returning to work safely without heavy reliance on opioids.
Inpatient Rehab: Optimize recovery after surgery, trauma, or complex illness, minimizing the need for pain medication during the transition home.

Every therapist — PT, occupational therapist (OT), or speech-language pathologist (SLP) — has an opportunity to integrate opioid-reducing practices into patient care.

A Unified Effort: Advocacy and Education

Reducing reliance on opioids isn’t only a clinical challenge; it’s a policy and education issue, too. To make PT more accessible, we need:

Fair reimbursement that encourages early PT intervention.
Legislation that expands patient access to therapy services.
Provider education on how to integrate opioid reduction strategies into care plans.
Patient education that highlights PT as a safe, effective alternative to pain medication.

NARA plays an active role in these advocacy efforts, ensuring that therapy providers are represented on Capitol Hill and that policymakers understand the critical role rehabilitation services play in reducing opioid dependency.

Learn More About NARA’S PT Advocacy Efforts

How NARA Supports Providers in the #ChoosePT Movement

At NARA, we know that providers across all therapy disciplines, PT, OT, and SLP, are essential to improving patient outcomes and reducing opioid dependency. Through membership, NARA offers:

Specialized Interest Groups (SIGs) for peer-to-peer learning and clinical innovation.
Educational webinars and resources on compliance, clinical best practices, and industry trends.
Advocacy updates and tools to help providers engage in grassroots policy change.
Networking and collaboration opportunities with other therapy leaders nationwide.

By joining NARA, providers gain the resources, advocacy, and community they need to thrive, and to help patients #ChoosePT over opioids.

Learn More About Joining NARA

Moving Beyond Opioids With PT

The opioid crisis has shown us that pain management must evolve. Physical therapy is not just an alternative; it’s the standard patients deserve.

By prioritizing early intervention, leveraging non-opioid strategies, and uniting as a rehabilitation community, we can:

Reduce reliance on opioids.
Improve patient safety and quality of life.
Strengthen the role of rehabilitation providers in every setting.

At NARA, we believe in a future where therapy services are accessible, valued, and recognized as essential to solving the opioid epidemic. Join us in advocating for that future.

Learn more about NARA membership and be part of the movement.

Find Out More About NARA’s Membership