Opioids are a hot-button issue in the chronic pain community, and rightfully so. They can absolutely play a vital role in helping someone overcome a chronic pain condition, but they are also much riskier than other treatments that don’t carry a likelihood of overdose and dependency. We’ve seen firsthand how opioids can be a perfect compliment to a chronic pain management program, but we also want to give patients an opportunity to avoid painkillers if they so choose as part of their recovery plan. In today’s blog, we showcase five alternatives to opioids for chronic pain management.

Non-Opioid Treatments For Chronic Pain

Here’s a look at five non-opioid treatment options that may be recommended alongside or in lieu of a painkiller prescription.

1. Exercise – Exercise can work wonders for a chronic pain condition, but we understand how exercise can be hard to come by if you’re dealing with chronic pain. Find an exercise program that works for you, and know that any exercise is beneficial. You don’t need to run a marathon or spend two hours in the gym in order to do right by your body. Walking, swimming or cycling can all be beneficial forms of exercise that are not as hard on your body as some other forms.

2. Physical Therapy – Another way to condition and strengthen your body if you’re dealing with chronic pain is through a physical therapy program. Physical therapy involves targeted exercises and stretches developed by a professional who understands your unique situation and needs. This method can actually be more effective than general exercise because it focuses on weak points and specific body parts in need of attention.

3. Behavioral Health Intervention – Behavioral health intervention (BHI) helps to combat chronic pain by training the brain to change how it interprets sensory signals. The brain can become overwhelmed by sensory signals and misinterpret signals as pain sensations. A specialist can help to drown out these misfiring sensory signals or decrease their intensity through a variety of mindfulness-based techniques.

4. Sleep Improvements – While sleep alone won’t likely cure your chronic pain, regularly getting eight hours of uninterrupted sleep can do wonders for the expression of your chronic pain condition. Sleep is a restorative time period for the body where toxins are removed from key areas of our body and it can recover from the stresses of the day. Poor sleep can intensify pain signals and make it less likely that you’ll commit to the physical activities required to truly help fight your chronic pain condition. Improving your sleep quality is a key component to a comprehensive pain treatment plan.

5. TENs Unit – A TENs unit stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and it uses low doses of electricity to drown out and block sensory signals that are being interpreted as pain by the brain. Chronic back pain and muscle pain are two types of chronic injuries that tend to respond well to a TENs unit. A pain management specialist can take a look at your condition and determine if a TENs unit is something that could be appropriate for your situation.

So if you want to try to control and treat your chronic pain condition without the assistance of opioids, consider one of more of the treatments on this list. Better yet, connect with Dr. Cohn and his pain management team to develop a comprehensive solution suited to your individual needs. For more information, contact him today!