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Editors note: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or otherwise treat chronic pain or any other medical condition. If you are currently using a prescription medication, do not stop using that medication unless your prescribing physician tells you to. See a licensed healthcare professional in person if you have concerns about your medications or questions about alternatives to your prescribed drugs.
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Most men, including football players and other professional athletes who subject their bodies to abuse for the enjoyment of others—and who seem invulnerable by our mere mortal standards—are told to play through the pain. If they can’t, they are expected to play anyway, if necessary while they are so hopped up on drugs that they can’t feel the pain. That level of abuse tends to have consequences in later life, from concussive brain damage, crippling injuries or substance abuse and addiction. Even ordinary pain that turns chronic can require a steady stream of painkillers, such as prescription opioids.
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence found that “Although people 65 years of age and older comprise only 13 percent of the population, they account for almost 30 percent of all medications prescribed in the United States,” putting them at greater risk for drug abuse and addiction, aggravated by their “increased rate of illness, changes in the body’s capacity to process medications, and the potential for drug interactions.” More than a third take five or more prescription drugs, and that doesn’t include over-the-counter meds.
A lot of that prescribing may be for painkillers. The National Institute of Health’s MedlinePlus magazine reported, “Research has shown that 50 percent of older adults who live on their own and 75-85 percent of the elderly in care facilities suffer from chronic pain.” Such chronic pain has largely driven the opiate (morphine, codeine) and opioid (heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone) epidemic, but in the past doctors haven’t been trained to spot opioid or opiate abuse signs in their patients, elderly or otherwise.
Opioid painkillers aren’t only dangerous and addictive – you can develop a dependence in a week, even taken as prescribed – but they don’t even work very well in the long term. You quickly develop a tolerance to them, and then you need to increase the dosage.
It doesn’t take a genius to realize that is not a sustainable strategy. Something has to give, and it’s usually the patient’s health. The risk is greatest in the elderly, who are more susceptible to respiratory side effects and dementia-type symptoms. Interactions with other medications or alcohol also are potentially deadly.
Other Treatments for Chronic Pain:
Non-opioid drugs.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen) and gabapentin (Neurontin), an anticonvulsant medication, can ease chronic pain without the risk of opioid or opiate abuse signs.
Cannabis.
Marijuana and its chemical compounds, cannabinoids, can be used to treat chronic pain, and you don’t have to smoke it or get high to benefit from it. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-euphoriant, anti-inflammatory analgesic oil, can be added to topical lotions and edibles. It’s still guilty by association, hence illegal, under federal law and in many states.
Physical therapy.
Exercise, movement (Tai chi, yoga, chair yoga) and manipulation of the muscles and spine (acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic care) can all aid pain ease.
Devices.
Sometimes lack of movement is what’s required. Braces and splints can relieve pressure on joints and nerves, and canes, crutches, and walkers take the weight off sensitive joints and redistribute the weight.
Talk therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy isn’t just useful for psychoanalysis or drug addiction but also dealing with chronic pain.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
Basically, this involves burning a targeted nerve in the back or joints so it won’t send pain signals to the brain. The nerves usually regenerate, and the pain returns, but the procedure can be repeated.
As the population ages and life expectancy goes up, chronic pain will continue to be a problem but
alternative treatments can reduce the quantity and severity of opiate abuse signs.
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It was really nice how you said that lack of movement can sometimes be the solution to chronic pain, so putting on a splint or braces, as well as using crutches can ease the pain. I’m not sure if the can be advised for me though. The pain is on my back, and I don’t think I can put braces around my back. I guess therapy was what I need to help me ease the pain. Thanks for sharing. I’ll do this right away, so I can get back to my work.