Why It’s Worth Using Ways Other Than Medication To Treat Chronic Pain

When it comes to chronic pain, it’s only natural that you want to get what help you can in order to relieve it. Talking to your doctor about medication might seem like the best thing to do, and in your case, it might be. However, relying solely on pain medication can have some consequences that are worth being aware of. Here, we’re going to look at why you should consider other paths.

They can have side-effects

If pain medication was an unalloyed good, then doctors would not be so careful about when they prescribe them and who to. Even basic NSAIDs like aspirin can have side effects when prescribed too much. Opioids like codeine and Vicodin, however, can have a range of side effects, such as constipation, nausea, drowsiness, and dizziness, and can even affect your mental health by, for instance, leading to a higher likelihood of experiencing depression. In some cases, you might think these side effects are worth the relief you would feel from your pain, but it’s something you should consider seriously.

They can work less over time

The way that many pain killers work is by activating the opioid receptors in the brain, which causes the release of hormones that can lessen the pain response. However, as these receptors are stimulated time and time again, they can begin to respond with less stimulation and might require more to stimulate them and to get the same response as before. As such, your body can start to tolerate the medication that you’re using. This can lead to a loop where some people use more of the medication to get the same response, which leads to opioid abuse.

They can be addictive

When it comes to opioid addiction, the tolerance mechanism as mentioned above is a leading cause. Many people with opioid addiction problems started taking it legitimately as medication for their health issues. However, this can lead to a dependence on the medication that is not safe in the long term, and at this point, services like MAT Texas – Opioid Treatment Center may be required to help. If you are taking opioids, it’s very important to monitor your usage and to recognize when you might have a problem.

Other options might be able to help better

There are plenty of other options, both medical and other, that could help you find some management for your pain. This can include basic lifestyle changes like changing your bed to help you get to sleep easier, home alternatives like CBD gummies, or neck massagers that can help tackle back pain. Then there are alternative therapies like biofeedback therapy and acupuncture. For certain types of pain, injection treatments can even help block the pain response from specific parts of the body, if they are applicable to you. Some of these may end up helping you more than any medication.

You don’t have to give up on the idea of using medication entirely if you’re in serious pain. However, you should consider talking to your doctor about alternative pain therapies to go with it.