{"id":631205,"date":"2025-01-30T11:55:58","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T16:55:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=631205"},"modified":"2025-01-30T12:43:49","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T17:43:49","slug":"managing-pain-without-opioids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/managing-pain-without-opioids\/","title":{"rendered":"Managing pain without opioids"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pain affects all aspects of a person\u2019s life. When it becomes unbearable or significantly affects day-to-day functioning, patients may seek out <\/span>opioid medications<\/span><\/a>. However, these come with risks, including dependency and overdose. Fortunately, <\/span>opioid alternatives<\/span><\/a> now offer effective pain management without these dangers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why seek alternatives to opioids?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Opioids were once a go-to solution for quick pain relief but come with risks, like dependency, misuse, and overdose.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reporting over 80,000 opioid-related deaths in 2022, safer alternatives are more crucial than ever.<\/span><\/p>\n

Acute pain vs. chronic pain<\/b><\/h3>\n

Pain treatment depends on whether it\u2019s acute (lasting less than a month, often caused by injury or surgery) or <\/span>chronic<\/span> (lasting three or more months, often requiring long-term care), as described in Pain and Therapy<\/em>. A 2023 study by the <\/span>National Institutes of Health<\/span> found that the rate of chronic pain in adults is about 21%.<\/span><\/p>\n

Non-medication pain management techniques<\/b><\/h2>\n

Opioid medications only temporarily mask the pain and do not treat its underlying causes. This means pain returns when a patient stops using the medication. This is especially problematic for chronic pain, where patients often become tolerant to opioids, which results in a <\/span>dose escalation over time<\/span><\/a>, often up to a 10-time increase.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The CDC strongly recommends the use of <\/span>non-medication pain management techniques<\/span><\/a> for this reason. If medicine is necessary, non-opioids are preferred. Opioids should only be considered if the benefits outweigh the many risks. Fortunately, there are a variety of non-medication options to help manage pain and, in some cases, treat the underlying cause.<\/span><\/p>\n

Physical therapy<\/b><\/h3>\n

Massage is effective<\/span><\/a> for back, hand, neck, and knee pain. It may also help improve sleep and reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.\u00a0<\/span>According to the American Massage Therapy Association<\/a>, acute pain may resolve after one or two sessions of massage therapy<\/span>. However, people with chronic pain may require weekly sessions for several months or even years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Physical therapy does not always require a licensed physical therapist or a healthcare provider\u2014<\/span>patients can often perform physical therapy by themselves<\/span><\/a> at home using active exercises.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Preventive physical therapy also prevents more severe injuries, especially in patients suffering from only mild pain. A 2018 study showed that patients who saw a healthcare provider for preventive physical therapy were <\/span>89.4% less likely to receive an opioid prescription<\/span><\/a> and also had lower out-of-pocket costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chiropractic care<\/b><\/h3>\n

During a chiropractic appointment, a chiropractor adjusts your body\u2019s alignment to relieve pain. While many patients experience gradual improvements over time, the relief from pain can vary depending on the individual and their condition. Chiropractic care is often <\/span>used to treat musculoskeletal-related pains<\/span><\/a>, such as back and neck pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Like any medical treatment, chiropractic care carries some risks. Although rare, complications from spinal manipulation\u2014particularly in the neck\u2014have been associated with chiropractic care. However, for many individuals, the benefits of chiropractic care in managing pain and improving mobility can outweigh the risks, especially when performed by a qualified professional.<\/span><\/p>\n

Acupuncture<\/b><\/h3>\n

Acupuncture might help treat back or neck pain, osteoarthritis, and post-operative pain. Many of the benefits last up to one year after treatment, according to the <\/span>National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health<\/span><\/a> (NCCIH). <\/span>They also state that acupuncture may also exert a placebo effect through \u201cnonspecific effects,\u201d such as the patient\u2019s belief in acupuncture as an effective treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by a trained practitioner, with a low risk of adverse effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Massage therapy<\/b><\/h3>\n

Massage is effective<\/span><\/a> for back, hand, neck, and knee pain. It may also help improve sleep and reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.\u00a0<\/span>According to the American Massage Therapy Association<\/a>, acute pain may resolve after one or two sessions of massage therapy<\/span>. However, people with chronic pain may require weekly sessions for several months or even years.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the American Massage Therapy Association, massage therapy is not recommended for inflamed areas because it might spread an infection or further irritate them. It is also not recommended for people with heart problems, infectious diseases, phlebitis, and certain skin conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meditation and mindfulness<\/b><\/h3>\n

Meditation and mindfulness reduce pain by redirecting\u00a0<\/span>attention elsewhere. Although the exact mechanism is still being investigated, they have demonstrated their effectiveness for managing chronic pain and have been shown to be\u00a0<\/a>superior to <\/a><\/span>placebo<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Biofeedback<\/b><\/h3>\n

Employing similar techniques to meditation and mindfulness, biofeedback is a mind-body technique wherein you exert control over your heart rate, breathing pattern, and muscle movements. This approach uses electrical pads to gather subtle signals about the way your body reacts to pain, such as a slightly elevated heart rate. You are then able to recognize how your body responds to stressors and learn to <\/span>relax your muscles to alleviate tension and pain<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Heat and cold therapy<\/b><\/h3>\n

Heat therapy is effective for<\/span> treating acute low back pain<\/span><\/a> and other forms of pain. If an injury is the cause of your pain, use <\/span>ice for the first 48 to 72 hours<\/span><\/a> to reduce swelling. Hot packs are great for relieving pain, but you should use them only<\/span> 48 hours after suffering an injury<\/span><\/a> and for no more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Wait about 20 minutes between treatments to avoid excessive heat or cold injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)<\/b><\/h3>\n

Pain is often viewed in terms of its physical manifestations, but it also has emotional and psychological components,<\/span> according to the American Psychological Association (APA)<\/span><\/a>. Stress may cause your muscles to tense up, which may increase pain. A psychologist can provide you with guidance to help you manage your emotions to limit chronic pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rest<\/b><\/h3>\n

Rest treats pain<\/span><\/a> caused by repetitive strain or overuse and injuries like muscle sprains or strains. If you know what activity caused the pain, reduce its intensity or stop it altogether, and the pain will often resolve on its own. However, when treating back pain, use bed rest sparingly, as<\/span> too much may make the pain worse<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Immobilization<\/b><\/h3>\n

Immobilization typically treats acute pain associated with an identifiable cause, such as surgery or injuries like broken bones or sprains. It helps reduce inflammation and may<\/span> prevent further injury<\/span><\/a>. Immobilization is typically performed at the site of an injury and involves medical devices like<\/span> bootwalkers or splints<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elevation<\/b><\/h3>\n

Elevating an injured body part relieves pain by reducing inflammation. It works by causing fluids to flow away from an injured area to other parts of the body. It is also part of the <\/span>RICE treatment: rest, ice, compression, and elevation<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Woman<\/a><\/p>\n

Medication alternatives to opioids<\/b><\/h2>\n

If your pain refuses to go away or its intensity remains high even after the above techniques, medication may be necessary to prevent it from affecting your day-to-day life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)<\/b><\/h3>\n

In <\/span>a review that analyzed 183 randomized controlled trials<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>NSAIDs<\/span><\/a> appeared to be more effective than opioids for surgical dental pain and kidney stones and had the same efficacy as opioids for low back pain. Due to the anti-inflammatory mechanism, NSAIDs can be very beneficial in managing acute pain. In addition, they posed a lower risk of nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness compared to opioids. Examples of commonly prescribed NSAIDs include <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>naproxen<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Celebrex<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Voltaren<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, NSAIDs come with risks. High doses and long-term use of NSAIDs can increase the risk of serious side effects. All NSAIDs, except aspirin, can increase the risk of cardiovascular or heart problems. Additionally, NSAIDs increase your risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, as well as disrupting kidney function. Extreme caution should be used in older patients and those with a history of stomach ulcers or cardiovascular disease<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Acetaminophen<\/b><\/h3>\n

Tylenol (acetaminophen)<\/span><\/a> is <\/span>less effective<\/span><\/a> for treating inflammatory pain but it has fewer side effects, like <\/span>nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness,<\/span> than NSAIDs<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Antidepressants<\/b><\/h3>\n

Antidepressants<\/span><\/a> can treat chronic pain at lower doses than is needed to treat depression. They can treat a variety of pain (even in the absence of a depression diagnosis), including arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, spinal cord injury, stroke, and migraines. The low doses mean they generally have mild side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifically, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are commonly used to <\/span>help manage pain<\/span><\/a>. These medications include:<\/span><\/p>\n