All painkillers, both prescription and over-the-counter, have potentially serious consequences.All painkillers, both prescription and over-the-counter, have potentially serious consequences.

Opioids are highly addictive, even for medical patients taking them as directed, and result in tens of thousands of fatalities a year.

All NSAIDs, including Ibuprofen and Celecoxib (Celebrex), significantly increase the risk of heart attack or stroke in as little as a few weeks of use. 

Aspirin can cause GI bleeding and up to 3000 deaths a year. Acetaminophen can cause liver failure.

According to Cindy Perlin, LCSW, pharmaceuticals don’t work that well for chronic pain because they don’t get to the root of the problem.

Perlis says that safe, effective, non-drug treatments for chronic pain include:

• Mind/body approaches including relaxation, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma resolution techniques, emotional expression techniques, somatic experiencing
• Body-based practices including chiropractic, physical therapy and massage
• Nutrition, vitamins and herbs
• Exercise
• Acupuncture
• Homeopathy
• Low level laser therapy
• Energy healing

All of these treatments address underlying causes of pain. A multidisciplinary approach works best for most people, especially when you keep in mind that pain is not a pharmacological deficiency.

Listen in as Perlin joins hosts Andrea and Lisa to share more about these non-drug options, as well as how truly effective bio-feedback can be in reducing your pain.