Addiction to pain medicine has become a growing concern in recent years, and more and more people are turning to alternative methods for managing pain. This is a healthy trend, but it is important to remember why pain medicine is sometimes the healthiest approach to take. Pain medicine is not bad. Abusing pain medicine is dangerous. Taking it as directed when indicated makes good sense. Following are some examples of the right situations to reach for the for pain medicine.
When you are recovering from injury, anti-inflammatories are an important treatment component.
Injury involves inflammation, and inflammation can lead to further injury and pain. The ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medicine your doctor may prescribe for you is not just so you don’t hurt. It’s to bring the inflammation down so your injury can heal. Take it as directed until you are comfortable and can move the injured area easily.
Pain medication can interrupt the pain/spasm/pain cycle.
When your body has an experience of pain or injury, your muscles can go into spasm to protect what your brain perceives as a vulnerable area. Any perception of pain causes your muscles to tighten up. This becomes hypervigilance, which leads to more tension and pain. I see this frequently with pediatric CRPS (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome) patients. They are so aware that touch will hurt them that they tense the affected area, causing more pain. A combination of pain and sleep medication, physical therapy, desensitization and massage can slowly unravel this pattern. Taking pain medication as directed is an essential component.
Anyone fighting a life-threatening illness should take pain medicine as needed.
A body under stress cannot fully activate the healing response. Constant pain is stressful, which undermines your ability to get well. If you are facing cancer or any other illness that requires you to fight for your health, pain medicine is an integral part of your treatment strategy. Pain interferes with rest and healing. Take pain medication before your pain is severe.
Recovery from surgery will be faster and more comfortable if you take your pain medicine.
Not only will your prescribed medicine help you rest and heal, but anti-inflammatory pain medicine will reduce the swelling at the surgery site and help the incision heal faster. Post surgery pain can sneak up on you and set you back. If you stay on top of your pain, you will actually spend less time in your bed. I learned this the hard way. I decided to go see the latest Harry Potter movie with my mom and sister the day after breast cancer surgery, and forgot the pain pills. Bad idea! I probably lost an extra day.
Don’t ever let pain interfere with your quality of life.
There is no virtue in being tough if it means you can’t do the things you enjoy. Being sidelined can make you depressed. Depression can (you guessed it!) cause pain.
Many natural pain management methods are excellent, and many are very effective. I’m a big fan of regular yoga, guided imagery, massage therapy and other holistic methods to prevent aches and pains. I also enjoy getting the most out of life. I do all of these natural things when they work, and doing them first before I reach for a pill helps me be aware of how I am caring for myself.
After a recent car accident, I took my vicodin. I was back on my feet in no time.
Source:
personal and professional experience
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