Patient Education
Manual Therapy vs. Pain Medication
How hands-on care and pain medication differ, how they can work together, and questions to discuss with your physician.
Before you read: this page is general education. Do not start, stop or change any medication without talking with the physician or pharmacist who manages it. Dr. Kowin Casey is a chiropractic physician, and chiropractors do not prescribe medication.
Side-by-Side Comparison
What Manual Therapy Is
Manual therapy is hands-on care provided by trained clinicians such as chiropractic physicians. It includes joint adjustments and mobilization, soft tissue work and traction, and it is usually combined with exercise and advice on posture and daily habits.
The aim is to improve how the joints, muscles and soft tissues move, and to ease the mechanical strain that can contribute to back, neck and joint pain. Progress is usually gradual, and it depends on your condition and on the work you do between visits. At KC Wellness and Physiotherapy, Dr. Casey's approach, “Achieving an Optimum Balance,” means looking for underlying causes and making specific interventions and lifestyle adjustments to optimize the conditions for normal function.
What Pain Medication Does
Pain medicines work in different ways. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen reduce inflammation. Acetaminophen eases pain through a different pathway. Muscle relaxants and, in some cases, opioids may be prescribed for short periods. Each can provide real relief.
Each medicine has its own risks, especially with long-term use. Medication is often essential after surgery or a serious injury and for many medical conditions. Your physician or pharmacist can help you weigh the benefits and risks for you.
Often not either/or
For many people, medication recommended by a physician makes it easier to move and sleep while hands-on care and exercise work on function. Any change to your medication should be made with your prescriber.
Questions to Consider
Manual therapy may be worth exploring if:
- Your pain is in your back, neck, joints or muscles
- Your pain keeps returning when medication wears off
- You want to add a non-drug approach, with your physician aware of your plan
- You are willing to do exercises and make changes at home between visits
Talk with your physician about medication if:
- You have severe pain after a recent injury or surgery
- You have a diagnosed inflammatory condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Pain is keeping you from sleeping or functioning day to day
- Your pain comes with fever, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer, which needs prompt medical evaluation
Non-Drug Care at KC Wellness and Physiotherapy
Dr. Kowin Casey offers hands-on and non-drug care for musculoskeletal pain, together with physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Chiropractic & Spinal Corrective Care
Examination and chiropractic adjustments for the spine and joints.
Learn more ›Active Release Technique & Myofascial Release
Hands-on soft tissue methods for tight or restricted muscles and the fascia around them.
Learn more ›Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression & Traction
Non-surgical cervical, thoracic and lumbar decompression, with manual and mechanical traction.
Learn more ›Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation-focused care and therapeutic exercise to help you move, strengthen and recover.
Learn more ›Dry Needling
May provide relief for some muscular pain and stiffness by easing trigger points.
Learn more ›Class IV Laser Therapy
Treatment lasers, including Class 4 lasers used for pain reduction.
Learn more ›Massage therapy and acupuncture are also available at our office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use manual therapy and pain medication at the same time?
Often, yes. Many people take medication recommended by their physician while receiving hands-on care. Tell Dr. Casey about every medication you take, and make any changes to your medication only with the physician or pharmacist who manages it.
Which one works faster?
Pain medication often works quickly, but only while it is active. Manual therapy usually works more gradually over a course of care, with exercises and habit changes between visits. How quickly anyone improves varies from person to person.
Can Dr. Casey prescribe or change my medication?
No. Chiropractors do not prescribe medication. Decisions about starting, stopping or changing any medicine belong with your physician or pharmacist.
What if I have already tried other treatments?
Different approaches suit different people, and a thorough history helps. Bring a list of what you have tried, including medications, physical therapy, injections or other care, so Dr. Casey can take it into account.
When is medication the right choice?
Medical management is often needed for pain after surgery or a serious injury, for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, for nerve pain from certain medical conditions, and for pain related to cancer. Your physician is the right person to guide those decisions.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an examination. If you have severe, sudden or worsening symptoms, seek medical care right away.
Ready to Discuss Your Options?
Every situation is different. We listen carefully to understand the challenges our clients are facing in their healing process. KC Wellness and Physiotherapy is at 1815 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108.
New patient? Download the intake forms or contact our office.