Integrative Pain Management: Free From Pain, Free From Dependency
Why not Pop a Pill? It’s Easy…right?
A recent study showed that patients over 60 who were given opiate painkillers after minor surgeries considered to be “low pain,” were 44% more likely to still be using the painkillers a year later when compared to patients who were not prescribed opiates right away. There was also a strong trend in the opiate group to graduate from a drug like codeine, to stronger opiates like oxycodone within a year. {Asim Alam, MD, et. al. “Long-term Analgesic Use After Low-Risk Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.” Arch Intern Med. 2012;172(5):425-430.}
Still, using painkillers a year after a procedure is not a good sign that the drugs effectively managed the pain. Changing to more potent opiates over time indicates that the drug has successfully created dependency, while failing to create lasting pain relief. Beyond the obvious healthcare costs, opiate use is associated with multiple unpleasant side effects such as constipation and drowsiness, and poses a threat of dependency. Perhaps most poignantly, overdosing on prescription painkillers is the cause of 15,000 deaths annually- more than heroine and cocaine combined.
Independence, not Dependence
Studies show that gentle and natural techniques like acupuncture, healing touch and reiki are effective at decreasing post-operative pain. They can be performed before, after and sometimes even during surgical procedures. And while some of us find them somewhat habit forming, they have none of the side-effects and dependency issues that surround opiate pain killers.
Studies have found the pain relief from acupuncture to continue 10 months and more after the acupuncture treatments have stopped. That’s the difference between focusing on healing versus just covering up the pain.
Physicians never want their patients to be in pain. Some providers are still in the dark when it comes to all the many, integrative therapies that exist that effectively manage pain. So the next time you are handed a prescription for a painkiller, consider first whether herbal anti-inflammatories, acupuncture, reiki, massage or healing touch might be a good fit for you.
