These non-opioid (non-narcotic) pain relief options are important considering the following:
In the US, where we have 5% of the world's population, we consume 80% of opioid pain killers.
Chances of addiction are anywhere between 3-45%
Often, patients who use opioids for pain relief will have pain for a longer period of time.
Therefore, treatment strategies to avoid this class of medications is an important step to help patients recover their lives:
Physical Treatments/Modalities:
Cryotherapy (Ice packs)
TENS units (like electric massagers, available for not too much money online)
Massage
Healing Touch
Acupuncture
Aromatherapy
Cognitive/Mental Strategies (changing the way we think about our situation):
Cognitive/behavioral Therapy
Meditation
Guided Imagery
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Music Therapy
Pharmaceutical Strategies:
Regional anesthetic block (done at time of surgery)
Anti inflammatory medications
Gabapentin (nerve membrane stabilizing medication)
