There Are Safer Ways to Manage Pain
If you’re recovering from surgery or have chronic pain, discuss alternative pain management techniques with your health care provider.
Recent studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have shown that using non-opioid therapies significantly lowers pain intensity when compared with opioid therapy.
You can keep opioids from being a threat to your life and health, as well as your family’s.
Non-opioid pain management alternatives include:
Yoga
A form of exercise that combines breath control, meditation, and movement to strengthen muscles and relieve stress. Download a yoga fact sheet.
Visit yogaalliance.org to find a certified yoga teacher near you.
Acupuncture
A therapy that targets peripheral nerves using thin needles, heat, and pressure applied to certain areas of the body. Download an acupuncture fact sheet . Visit the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine’s website at nccaom.org , and click on Find a Practitioner.
Massage
Manipulation of the soft tissue of the body, using stretching techniques and applying varying degrees of pressure. Download a massage fact sheet.
Visit the American Massage Therapy Association’s website at amtamassage.org , or the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage’s website at ncbtmb.org .
Physical therapy
A combination of controlled exercise, manual therapy, and education. Download a physical therapy fact sheet . Visit the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation’s online license verification service at dpr.delaware.gov .
Cognitive behavioral therapy
A form of talk therapy that helps to modify negative emotions, behaviors, and thoughts in order to address the awareness of pain. Download a cognitive behavioral therapy fact sheet . Visit the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies’ website at findcbt.org .Chiropractic therapy
The use of hands or special instruments to manipulate the spine to reduce stress and pain. Download a chiropractic therapy fact sheet . Visit the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation’s online license verification service at dpr.delaware.gov .Interventional procedures
Proven therapies such as steroid injections, nerve blocks, joint injections, and other treatments that may help reduce pain. Download a fact sheet about interventional procedures.Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Stay active and exercise. Make a plan with your health care provider to get healthy and follow it. When you do have pain, use over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen before considering stronger drugs. Download a fact sheet on healthy lifestyles.
Managing Chronic Pain: A Guide for Patients
Learn about safe methods for managing chronic pain, including therapies and over-the-counter medications.
(PDF, 471KB)
Consider the dangers before using opioids.
Opioids are drugs that block pain signals to the brain. Heroin is also an opioid. Opioids can cause physical dependence after just seven days of use. An overdose can happen by accident. Talk with your health care provider about the risks involved with these dangerous medications.
Understand opioid side effects:
- Tolerance — a higher dose might be necessary over time to get the same pain relief.
- Physical dependence — symptoms of withdrawal may occur when the medication is stopped.
- Increased sensitivity to pain
- Constipation
- Nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth
- Sleepiness and dizziness
- Confusion
- Depression
- Itching and sweating
Commonly prescribed opioids include:
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- Codeine
- Morphine
- Fentanyl
Risks are greater for those with:
- A history of drug misuse, substance use disorder, or overdose
- Mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety
- Sleep apnea