Alternatives to Opioid Medications For Pain Relief
The United States has a serious opioid problem. Opioid medications such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and codeine can be highly addictive and often cause death by overdose. Yet, when medical researchers studied the relative pain-relieving capabilities of opioids compared with over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol and ibuprofen, they found no statistical or clinical difference in the results. Tylenol and Advil are just as effective at relieving pain, including the pain of a broken bone, as addictive opioids.
Other alternatives to opioid medications include corticosteroids, anti-epileptic medications (Neurontin, Lyrica), antidepressants (Elavil, Prozac, Cymbalta), NSAIDs (Motrin, Aleve, Excedrin), aspirin and acetaminophen. Each of these alternatives is better-suited to treating certain types of pain. Your doctor at Allpria Healthcare can help you find the one that works best for you, while helping you avoid the unpleasant prospects of addiction. For a free 15-minute phone consultation, please call our Aurora or Longmont pain clinics at 720-307-7246.
Non-drug pain treatments
If you want to avoid drugs entirely, you should know that many people get measurable pain relief from acupuncture, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, chiropractic, exercise, physical therapy, yoga and meditation. Because of Allpria’s integrated patient approach, your pain management team works together to create a customized pain management therapy plan just for you. Organizations such as the American College of Physicians, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend non-drug treatments as the first line of treatment against chronic pain. Even though side effects are minimal, you should talk to your doctor before you begin any non-drug treatments.
Discover real, dedicated, effective pain management doctors at Allpria Healthcare. We serve the communities of Denver, Aurora, Longmont and Northern Colorado communities. Call 720-307-7246 to learn more.