Best to take pain killers or best not to take pain killers?

A client presented last week in a lot of pain.

She was wincing with the slightest movement her trunk or neck.

I asked if she had taken any pain medication.

She said, "No. I try to avoid it."

I often hear clients explain that they try to avoid pain medication.

I also read many news articles referring to painkillers creating a lot of health problems.

Especially the ones with addictive ingredients like codeine.

Is always trying to avoid pain medication so helpful?

If you would like to know more about my advice for this topic read on.

I see specific times that it is actually helpful to take pain medication.

For example, when it's for a recent instance of pain.

Such as recovering from an accident,

a sudden severe onset of pain from an unexpected movement

or an episode of back pain.

i.e. For short-term use (multiple days to a few weeks)

Taking pain medication can be very helpful,

especially if the pain is interfering with sleep, moving around within the house or daily self-care tasks like putting on clothes in the morning.

I see that avoiding pain medication and

toughing it out in the short term isn't so helpful,

because it can create a positive feedback loop,

with more pain creating more inflammation which creates more pain etc.

But there's a catch.

Taking pain medication can be very beneficial to help people manage symptoms for a few days.

But, it doesn't help solve the problem of why the injury or pain occurred in the first place.

In many cases, there is a musculoskeletal solution,

to resolve the reasons for the pain.

And then pain medication is no longer needed.

At Baroona Physio we understand that pain stops us doing the things that are important to us and health activities that we enjoy.

Sometimes pain stops our clear thinking and productivity,

as well as everyday tasks like putting on shoes in the morning.

It's because we push the boundaries at Baroona Physio

that we use an approach which provides a rapid solution

so that clients can be pain-free in less than 2 weeks,

and no longer need pain medication.

In cases like this client, I referred to earlier,

appropriate pain medication enables a window of opportunity,

for better sleep, better daily function,

and prevention of the feedback loop,

and an opportunity for more effective treatment.

If you would like to know what's most helpful for your situation,

you are welcome to reply

and I'll be happy to provide confidential, individualised information.

To learn more contact us »

Please note that my advice is general advice only for optimal musculoskeletal health - and I always recommend clients to consult their pharmacist or GP about their specific medications.