Some Opioids May Actually Hinder Healing

Pain Opioids Pill AddictionA recent study on rats has brought to light another problem with using opioids for pain treatment. In the study, rats had an experimental trauma to the sciatic nerve causing leg and foot pain.

One group was given opioids to control pain while recovering from the injury, while the control group was not given any medicine and allowed to heal on their own. The opioid treatment group took at least 16 weeks to heal, while the other group healed in eight weeks, and the control group actually reported more complete healing. The opioid group showed signs of prolonged inflammation throughout the treatment period. The untreated group did not have signs of ongoing inflammation. Now as a reminder, this study was in rats, not in humans.

The significance of the above study is that the use of opioids in humans does have many negative effects. We know that these medications cause problems from cognition to constipation, depression, and many other medical issues. The current leading concern is addiction. Now if the above research holds true in humans, or has even a partial effect in humans, using opioids for pain may be inhibiting recovery from injury and prolonging pain and inflammation.

Having The Reverse Effect

The goal of most physicians when treating pain is to promote recovery from difficulties that may be causing damage to the body. Pain physicians promote multiple strategies to treat painful conditions. Medications are one strategy. More effective treatments often involve physical therapy in order to promote healing and more natural restoration of function. It takes strength and endurance to function normally. Return to normal function after injury takes a lot of work, there is not a magical pill to reverse pain.

As time goes on, the more we learn about medications, the more we realize that every substance that we put in our bodies has the potential to create more problems. Most medications prescribed by physicians are relatively safe, but they can all cause problems. If we want to do the best thing for our bodies, we need to often go back to the basics. The body needs the right exercise, food, nutrition, and rest. Treat the body right and it will not be angry and painful. Doctors can only help a person so much, the rest is up to the patient to take care of themselves.