PHYSICAL THERAPY - A CRITIQUE

Some forms of physical therapy are used relatively frequently in the t reatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions, including the tem poromandibular disorders. We found evidence that cold seems to be a us eful treatment for postsurgical pain and swelling and that most patien ts being treated for most chronic musculoskeletal pain seem to do bett er with most forms of therapy. However, we agree with the authors of p revious reviews: that there is little evidence that these methods of m anagement cause long-lasting reductions in signs and symptoms. Finding s of recent clinical trials tend to support this conclusion, although evidence is beginning to accumulate that exercise programs designed to improve physical fitness have beneficial effects on chronic pain and disability of the musculoskeletal system.