Many chronic pain patients rely on physician prescriptions or over the counter pain relievers for their chronic pain conditions. Unfortunately, they often times are not aware of the potential dangers such as liver toxicity or stomach lining damage from some of these OTC drugs. Opiate pain killers are potentially addictive as the patient may increase the dosage without consulting with their prescribing doctor or other healthcare provider in order to obtain relief. Governmental authorities are investigating the overuse of prescription opiates and enforcing regulations in this area by looking for both patients who are drug-seeking by going to a number of providers and healthcare professionals who overprescribe. 

So what can the chronic pain patient do to avoid legal and medical complications? First of all, only take your prescribed analgesic according to your doctor's prescription. Secondly, look into alternative pain relief such as Yoga, Chi Gong/Tai Chi, Energy Healing, Biofeedback, Nutrition, Hypnotherapy, and psychotherapeutic approaches. In my practice, patients who need their prescribed medication still find that biofeedback and meditation along with psychotherapy help bring their pain levels down beyond what the medication can provide. One reason for the value of psychotherapy is that many chronic pain patients also suffer from anxiety and depression. By learning strategies such as the use of self-affirmation, cognitive reframing, and disputing negative beliefs as well as venting, one can find relief from pain. For example, when we become anxiety-ridden stress hormones are released which in turn makes us more sensitive to pain.   By doing simple diaphragmatic deep breathing, anxiety is reduced or eliminated and pain levels go down. Some of my patients find that applying hand or ear acupressure also relieves their stress/anxiety and also bring down their pain levels. In order to obtain the best care and get the most pain relief, integrative healthcare is key!

Integrative healthcare involves the patient, their physician (or other prescribing providers), other healthcare providers ( chiropractors, herbalists, nutritionists, physical therapists,  medical massage therapists, etc.), and behavioral health practitioners to collaborate. In this way, patients will benefit and most likely be able to experience greater pain relief.