PTPN Offers Alternatives to Risky Drugs for Reducing Pain from Certain Conditions


(Calabasas, Calif. – October 28, 2005) – PTPN, the country’s first and largest network of independent rehabilitation practitioners, encourages patients seeking pain relief from certain conditions to try physical therapy as a first line of defense.

The painkiller ibuprofen (brand names include Advil and Motrin) has recently been linked to a 24% higher risk of heart attack, according to a study in the British Medical Journal (June 2005). Acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol) and ibuprofen double a woman’s risk of developing high blood pressure, according to research reported in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association (August 2005).

The anti-inflammatory pain medications Vioxx and Bextra were withdrawn from the market in the last year after they were associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as gastrointestinal problems and adverse skin reactions. All of these frightening developments are driving millions of people to look for safe alternatives to reduce pain.

“For many people, chronic pain in the back, shoulder and other joints is due to arthritis, an ailment that is becoming more widespread as baby boomers age,” said Michael Weinper, PTPN President & CEO, a physical therapist for over 35 years. “For other people, past injuries and surgeries may cause residual pain. Improper body mechanics, tight joint structures, and weak or inflexible muscles are contributing to, and exacerbating their painful conditions.”

Physical therapists are trained to evaluate the source of pain by conducting a thorough

musculoskeletal examination. In most cases, they can design individualized treatment plans to improve the functional activities that exacerbate pain. A program may include therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, education, and the use of various non-invasive modalities.

PTPN is the only rehabilitation network with an ongoing quality assurance program that regularly audits providers and measures patient satisfaction, monitoring that utilization of services is appropriate to the patient’s medical needs. According to the current year’s data, PTPN providers earned a patient satisfaction score of 95.4 out of 100 on 10 key patient satisfaction indicators. PTPN practitioners must pass the strictest credentialing standards in the industry, which exceed those required by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), and often those required by state licensing, Medicare and community standards.

About PTPN:PTPN is the first and largest specialty network of rehabilitation therapists in independent practice. It has led the rehabilitation industry in pioneering national contracting and quality assurance programs since 1985. The network has more than 1,200 provider offices (including physical, occupational and speech therapists) in 23 states. PTPN contracts with most of the major managed care organizations in the nation including insurers, workers’ compensation companies, PPOs, HMOs, medical groups, and IPAs. All members of PTPN must be independent practitioners who own their own practices. For more information about PTPN, contact Stephen Moore at (818) 737-0246 or visit PTPN on the Internet at: ptpn.com.