Dec 28, 2021
What are the most common alternatives to opioids and how do they work? - Dr. Jason Jones Elizabeth City NC, Chiropractor
There is a growing number of deaths and hospitalizations associated with the use of Opioids for managing pains. In fact, there are over 40,000 deaths a year across the US.
You must have heard of the term “Opioid epidemic” as it is commonly thrown around in the news. This is mainly due to opioid overdose, dependence, and addiction which is prevalent in the US.
Hence, a lot of people are now switching to alternative options that are less dangerous and also very much effective in managing pains from post-surgical operations, injuries, osteoarthritis, and many other conditions.
Here are some common alternatives to opioids:
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a natural treatment measure that helps you get immediate and long-term relief from pain. It liberates you from the confinement of using prescription medications like opioids, which come with many side effects.
Chiropractic manipulation addresses the source of the pain, unlike opioids which only reduce the pain for a while. So it is advisable to opt for chiropractic instead of using addictive opioids.
Exercise
Exercising is a good measure to tackle chronic pains. It is one of the first treatment measures you should try under the guidance of your physician or physical therapist.
Some options include of exercise include core strengthening exercises, aerobic exercises, and stretching and flexibility exercises.
Meditation and mindfulness
Chronic pains can strain you both emotionally and physically. And most times, using opioids will only leave you with many side effects without dealing with the psychological effect of pains.
Using mediation and mindfulness practices like yoga, however, have been shown to be effective in keeping your mind away from the pain. These measures help you manage the depression, frustration, and irritability that come with chronic pain.
Yoga also increases your strength and flexibility. You learn how to relax your muscles, which helps when pains cause you to tense up.
And the good part is you don’t have to deal with any side effects or long-term effects associated with opioids.
Diet
Your diet can also help you manage chronic pain conditions. Some good examples of anti-inflammatory foods you can add to your diet include asparagus, omega-3 fatty acids, cranberries, cherries, and soy products.
You can speak with your doctor to get recommendations on the best foods to add to your diet to manage pains without any side effects.
However, you should avoid diets high in refined sugars, Trans fats, and processed foods, as they are highly inflammatory and have been implicated in worsening many pain conditions.
Also, you need to stay hydrated always as dehydration can worsen your pains. Drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day and avoid caffeinated drinks, like tea and coffee.
In summary, you can effectively manage and treat pains naturally without having to use opioids. It makes sense to try measures like chiropractic as it is a proven natural treatment measure for joint and spinal pain.
Spinal manipulation effectively treats both chronic and spinal pains. And even the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests chiropractic methods for pain management.
You can consult Dr. Jason Jones in our Chiropractic office at Elizabeth City, NC, to get the best chiropractic care for your chronic or acute pains.