There’s a healthcare epidemic in America.
And it’s touched every person who’s ever gasped at a hospital surgery bill or winced at the pharmacy check-out. Treatment for musculoskeletal disorders (i.e., conditions of the joints and muscles) costs Americans $950 billion a year. Yes, that’s billion—with a B. We spend too much money treating what ails us—but why? Is it a product of the skyrocketing costs that plague the entire medical services industry? Is it because our doctors tell us we need expensive surgeries and prescription medications? Or is it because we simply don’t know there could be a better—and much less costly—solution to our pain problems?
Nowadays, when you throw out your back, tweak your knee, twist your ankle, hurt your shoulder, or strain your neck, you turn to your primary care physician, get a prescription for pain pills, and maybe get better—or maybe not. If you’re really unlucky, you find yourself on an operating table. And no matter the outcome of your treatment, you’re socked with a lot of outrageous bills. This is the sad—but real—truth. And it needs to change. We must transform the way we seek health care, manage pain, and ultimately, get better.
At GetPT, we believe physical therapy is the antidote to the spending epidemic that exists in the market for musculoskeletal pain treatment. Countless studies in recent years have highlighted the benefits and cost-effectiveness of physical therapy. Unfortunately, most of that research has failed to make the nightly news.
That’s why we’re here: to educate America on physical therapy—what it is, why it’s beneficial, and how you can find a therapist near you. We’re on a mission to ensure that when people experience bone, joint, or muscle pain, they see a physical therapist first and foremost. We’re on a mission to help Americans take control of their health—physically, emotionally, and financially.
Snapshot: The Musculoskeletal Spending Epidemic
| Knee surgery for torn meniscus costs about $5,000. Physical therapy for the same injury costs $1,000 to $2,000. | Of the $2.7 trillion spent on health care in 2011, hospital services accounted for 31%, with the average cost of one hospital stay coming in at $15,734. | Approximately 116 million Americans experience chronic pain, leading to $635 billion in healthcare costs and lost productivity every year. |
| One in every 12 adults is affected by a musculoskeletal condition. | Musculoskeletal conditions account for roughly 20% of the 1.3 billion medical appointments made every year. | Patients who receive early physical therapy care for back pain spend nearly $2,700 less for treatment. |
| Americans consume 80% of the total number of opiate painkillers produced in the entire world. | Physical therapy is just as effective as surgery in patients with meniscal tears and osteoarthritis of the knee. | Back and knee pain cost America more than $86 billion a year. |
“Physical therapists devote the entirety of their education, training, and careers to treating musculoskeletal issues. There is no more qualified, more knowledgeable expert than a PT when it comes to diagnosing and treating chronic aches and pains—and we’re easy on wallets, too. It’s about time America discovered the overwhelming benefits of physical therapy. More importantly, it’s about time the people of this country took control of their health care.”
—Heidi Jannenga, PT, DPT, ATC/L WebPT, Inc. Founder and COO
How to Use GetPT
The Blog
Taking control of your health care starts with education. That’s where our blog comes in. Learn all about the benefits of physical therapy—in general and in relation to specific injuries, conditions, and activities—with our library of informative, easy-to-read blog posts. We break PT down into terms everyone can understand—short-and-to-the-point-style. So, come on in, stay awhile, and see what PT can do for you.
Blog Categories
| Symptoms Find out what’s causing your aches and pains. |
Fitness Get tips for reaching your physical peak while feeling your best. |
Nutrition Uncover eating tips that’ll help improve performance, quicken recovery, or reduce pain. |
| Prevention Learn how to avoid costly medical bills by staying well in the first place. |
Recovery Get well faster with these tried-and-true rehab and post-injury pointers. |
Why PT See how physical therapy can help you achieve and maintain the active lifestyle you crave. |
The PT Finder
Once you’ve learned about your own health and how physical therapy can help you improve, you can then find a physical therapist near you. Click here to research PTs in your area using our PT Finder.