This age we live in is built for speed. We seem to go faster and faster with each year that passes.
Our culture is one which prefers instant gratification. The signs of that truth are everywhere, from fast food to 5G. And part of our rapid-culture culture is a preference for a silver bullet answer to pain.
Treating pain without a prescription is by far the preferable course of action for many reasons. As a chiropractor (who heals by understanding the systems of the body and how they relate), I’m only too happy to share those reasons with you.
Opioids Kill
In 2015, 33,000 Americans died of overdoses from opioids. These numbers are only growing. And now, the FDA has approved a new opioid which is 10 times stronger than Fentanyl and 1,000 times stronger than morphine.
So, in the middle of what amounts to a full-blown public health crisis, the FDA lobs this monster opioid into the mix.
And the problem with opioids is not just that they kill – they’re highly addictive. Taken for prolonged periods of time, patients are highly likely to become dependent on them. It’s usually the case that they need to be carefully weaned off opioids by vigilant doctors to avoid sending patients into withdrawal.
Opioids have a place, but they’re to be handled with the utmost care and concern for the patient’s continuing health and wellbeing.
And it’s not just opioids which post a problem when it comes to treating pain. Even over the counter preparations can be problematic.
Anti-inflammatories and Analgesics
As with opioids, anti-inflammatories and analgesics present challenges. Prolonged daily use can lead to damage to internal organs, especially the stomach lining and liver.
Whether in OOC or prescription formulations, these drugs also have the effect of masking pain temporarily. While anti-inflammatories may be a good stopgap measure to reduce inflammation and analgesics may ease pain, using them in the place of medical attention is tempting fate.
By masking the pain, you’re blocking pain signals to the brain. Those signals are telling you that something’s wrong and that your body needs help. When they’re switched off by long-term use of anti-inflammatories and pain relief medications, your brain is cut out of the conversation.
That means you may be making the problem worse by ignoring it.
A Better Way to Treat Pain
As a Doctor of Chiropractic, I’ve trained extensively to identify the root causes of pain, which is generated by nerves. And your nervous system is intimately connected (even conjoined) with your spine.
Without harmful prescription medications, my hands tell me your body’s problem and we address it. Then, we bring you into the conversation, inviting you to a better understanding of body mechanics and posture.
But I don’t work in isolation. I work with a team here at Back & Body Medical in Manhattan. On the team are acupuncturists, sports medicine professionals and physical therapists. Together, we create individualized care plans which relieve pain effectively and expeditiously.
Looking for a better way to treat pain? Contact us.
