What you don't know about Painkillers!

 Patient: I'm having severe pain on my back. I've been having it for 4 years now. It comes and goes.

Physiotherapist: What have you been doing about your pain?

Patient: I've been taking pain killers. Sometimes, I also receive injections and the pain subsides. 

Physiotherapist: You mean you've been taking painkillers for these years?

Patient: And currently, the pain doesn't even subside any more, even with the drugs.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Above is the usual conversation I have with most of my new clients. It's always the same story. Just a few times have I seen someone who just came for Physiotherapy without ingesting loads of painkillers.

Well, I want to talk about the painkillers that we consume on a daily basis- whether it's paracetamol (acetaminophen), Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) (like ibuprofen, diclofenac), opioids (like codeine, morphine), or a combination of paracetamol and opioids (like Cocodamol).

These painkillers have great effect on pain however, they have some side effects on long term use that we need to take precaution about...

Some of the bad long term effects of painkillers you should know about are:

1. Stomach irritation and ulcers

2. Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding

3. Increased potential for bruising

4. Exacerbation of asthma symptoms

5. Increased risk of stroke, heart attack, (as a result of increase in systolic blood pressure) and blood clots 

Etc...

Bearing this in mind, you need to know the place of painkillers and conservative management like Physiotherapy in the management of muscular, joints or even neurological (radiating) pain.

Painkillers work, however, their prolonged use is not advisable.

Tired of taking painkillers for that back, neck, shoulder, knee etc pain?

Chat a Possible Physiotherapist Now.

We've helped a lot of people recover from their pain that defied pharmacological intervention.

Chat a Possible Physiotherapist Now to book an appointment!

- Dr. Esther Ugwu

#PossiblePhysiotherapy