For decades, doctors have prescribed opioids for pain management—from acute injury and post-surgery pain to chronic and cancer-related pain. They have been touted as one of the best ways to treat pain, and many doctors look to opioids to manage pain.
However, with opioid and heroin addiction on the rise, doctors are increasingly exploring alternative treatments for pain in their patients, and researchers are constantly seeking new and different ways to treat pain. Fortunately, for people who don’t want to take opioids or who are at risk for addiction, there are many other effective ways to manage pain.
The proliferation of opioids for pain management has led many unsuspecting patients into dependency and addiction. A painkiller addiction rehab center is not where anyone expects to end up after being prescribed opioids to manage pain, but it is an increasingly common outcome. Should you or a loved one need help overcoming an addiction to opioids for pain management, reach out to Michael’s House at 760.548.4032.
Pain Management Programs
Amid rising addiction rates and increased skepticism about opioid prescription approaches, pain management programs have become increasingly common. Researchers are still learning about the complexity of pain and its causes and effects, which means there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing pain. Pain management programs meet this need by providing individualized treatment specific to each patient’s symptoms and conditions.
These interdisciplinary programs aim to educate people about the nature of pain and its treatments while offering alternatives to opioid use — all within an integrated setting where patients can receive several forms of care in one place. This is key for effective pain management, as coordination between practitioners is one of the main obstacles to proper care.
Pain management programs are often offered in hospitals and treatment centers and commonly include the following practitioners:
- Doctors, primary care physicians
- Nurses
- Clinical pharmacists
- Mental health therapists
- Physical and occupational therapists
- Pain specialists, such as neurologists, rheumatologists, orthopedists, physiatrists, anesthesiologists
- Nutritionists or dietitians
This integrative form of care is superior to the standard piecemeal medical treatment most people receive. And when patients have access to a variety of options to handle pain, they will be less likely to turn to opioids to manage pain.
Other Alternatives to Opioids
Pain management programs are just one of the advancements being made in the realm of pain management. There are several ways to manage pain without opioids, many of which can be found in a variety of settings.
Some of the conventional and unconventional approaches to pain management include the following:
Alternative Pain Medications
While opioids have been seen as the gold standard for pain relief, non-opioids cannot be discounted as viable options, particularly given opioids’ potential for addiction. Over-the-counter pain relievers are effective at relieving pain, especially in combination. Anti-seizure medications can also be helpful for certain kinds of nerve pain, while muscle relaxants can help with acute pain from muscle spasms. There are even some antidepressants that have been shown to help with chronic pain.
Video Games
Video games, you ask? Yes, video games. Two doctors at the University of Washington School of Medicine have developed an immersive video game called “SnowWorld” that patients can play during painful procedures like burn debridement. The theory behind the use of immersive virtual reality to relieve pain is that pain requires attention. If the brain is paying attention to something else, it can effectively be distracted from the pain. Apparently, diving into the computer world occupies a lot of attention, making it the perfect distraction from pain. Studies have shown a 30-50% reduction in pain with the use of virtual reality.1
Mind Over Matter
Several mind-focused practices can be effective in the management of pain too. Ongoing research is improving our understanding of the complexity of pain, particularly the role our brains play in it. Sensory inputs shape our experience of it—to the point that one patient saw a nail enter his foot through his shoe, felt excruciating pain, and later found that the nail had completely missed his foot, at which point the pain completely dissipated.
Physical Therapy
A variety of exercises performed under the direction of a physical therapist, such as acupuncture and nerve stimulation, can all be effective in easing pain. There are also interventional techniques involving injections into or around the spinal region that can reduce pain.
Contact Michael’s House Today for Help and Support
If you’re looking for an alternative to opioids, know that there are many healthy, effective ways to treat your pain. Michael’s House offers addiction treatment tailored to each patient’s specific physical and psychological needs. Contact us at 760.548.4032 or reach out online for more information or to get the help you need today.
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