Understanding Pain
Diagnosis & Understanding
4. Neck Pain
1:55
6. Painful Diabetic Neuropathy
1:46
8. Foot Pain
1:50
9. Ankle and Foot Pain
1:46
10. Cancer Pain
1:34
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
2. Bracing
1:30
3. Acupuncture
2:13
4. Physical Therapy
1:35
5. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
2:08
Minimally Invasive & Surgical Treatments
2. Regenerative Medicine
2:06
5. Caudal Epidural
1:33
10. Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
1:39
11. Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty
2:05
12. Basivertebral Nerve Ablation
1:36
13. MILD Procedure
2:04
14. Spinal Decompression Surgeries
1:41
15. Artificial Disc Replacement
1:52
Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation (DRG)
Diagnosis & Understanding
3. Pelvic and Perineal Pain
1:52
7. Painful Diabetic Neuropathy
1:46
8. CRPS I
1:57
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
1. Physical Therapy
1:35
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
2:08
3. Bracing
1:30
Minimally Invasive & Surgical Treatments
3. Lumbar Sympathetic Injection
1:36
Alternative & Emerging Therapies
3. Regenerative Medicine
2:06
Robert Moghim MD
Anchor Healthcare
How to Reduce Dependence on Pain Medications
1746879688
Managing chronic pain can be challenging, and many people want to reduce their reliance on pain medications. While medications can be helpful, long-term use—especially opioids—can lead to dependence and reduced effectiveness over time. Fortunately, there are proven strategies to help manage pain while lowering the need for medication.
Treatments like physical therapy, interventional procedures, spinal cord stimulation (SCS), and behavioral therapy have been shown to help many patients reduce pain and improve function. Research shows that SCS, in particular, has helped patients lower their reliance on opioids by providing long-term pain relief in conditions like post-laminectomy syndrome and diabetic neuropathy.
Lifestyle changes such as regular movement, weight management, and proper nutrition can also play a key role in pain control. Studies suggest that exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy can retrain the brain’s response to pain, helping people rely less on medications over time.
If you’re looking to reduce your dependence on pain medication, talk to your doctor about alternative treatments, including SCS and other pain management options. A comprehensive plan can help improve pain control and quality of life while reducing medication use safely.
FAQs
How can physical therapy help in managing chronic pain?
Physical therapy can help manage chronic pain by improving physical function and strength, increasing flexibility, and reducing inflammation. These improvements can alleviate pain sources and decrease the need for medications by equipping the patient with exercises and techniques for managing their condition.
How do lifestyle changes contribute to pain management?
Lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, weight management, and proper nutrition, can significantly contribute to pain management by improving overall health and well-being. These changes promote the physical and emotional adaptations necessary for pain reduction, enabling individuals to rely less on pain medications over time.
What are the risks associated with long-term use of pain medications?
Long-term use of pain medications, especially opioids, can lead to dependence, reduced effectiveness, and potential addiction. Over time, the body may require higher doses to achieve the same level of pain relief, which can pose significant health risks, including respiratory issues and increased sensitivity to pain.
What is spinal cord stimulation and how does it reduce pain medication use?
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) involves the implantation of a device that sends electrical signals to the spinal cord to interfere with nerve impulses that communicate pain to the brain. By providing long-term pain relief, particularly for conditions like post-laminectomy syndrome and diabetic neuropathy, SCS can reduce the dependence on opioid medications.
What role does cognitive behavioral therapy play in reducing dependence on pain medications?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps reduce dependence on pain medications by changing the way individuals perceive and respond to pain. CBT retrains the brain's response to pain stressors, fosters adaptive coping strategies, and addresses underlying psychological contributors to pain, ultimately empowering patients to manage pain without solely relying on medication.