Lumbar and cervical pains are common conditions that can significantly impair quality of life. When pain strikes, seeking quick relief is natural. However, a recent Australian study published in The Lancet questions the effectiveness of opioids in treating these pains in the short term. This research highlights the need to turn to alternative approaches for natural and effective relief of lumbar pains. In this article, we explore several reasons why opting for natural methods of lumbar treatment is advantageous.
Ineffectiveness of Opioids in the Long Term
The cited study reveals that opioids, often prescribed to treat acute lumbar and cervical pains, do not offer significant relief in the short term. Participants who received opioids reported similar levels of pain to those who took a placebo after six weeks of treatment. This finding underscores the limitations of opioids in pain management and emphasizes the need to seek safer and more effective alternatives.
Risks Associated with Opioid Use
In addition to their demonstrated ineffectiveness, opioids also pose significant risks to health. The study found that 20% of participants who took opioids exhibited problematic behaviors one year after treatment, compared to only 10% of participants in the placebo group. These results highlight the potential dangers of dependence and misuse associated with opioid use, further underscoring the importance of finding safer alternatives.
Natural Approaches to Pain Relief
Faced with the ineffectiveness and risks of opioids, many people are seeking natural ways to relieve cervical and lumbar pains. Fortunately, there are a range of approaches that have proven effective in relieving pain and promoting healing. Among these:
Physiotherapy: Targeted exercises and rehabilitation techniques can strengthen back muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.
Dry Needling Physiotherapy: This practice can help reduce pain by stimulating specific acupuncture points in the body.
Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates: These gentle poses and stretches can relieve muscle tension and improve posture, ultimately reducing cervical and lumbar pains in the long term.
Pain Education: Understanding that pain is a far more complex pathological model than previously thought, which goes beyond the concept of human tissues, is crucial. We must consider patients' emotions, beliefs, experiences, and feelings. All of these factors can influence not only their pain but also their physiology. We understand that treating patients outside of their biopsychosocial and spiritual model often leads to failure.
Faced with the ineffectiveness and risks associated with opioids in the treatment of cervical and lumbar pains, it is essential to explore other approaches to relieve pain and promote healing. Physiotherapy remains the most comprehensive management option that can offer long-lasting relief without the harmful side effects of opioids. By adopting a holistic approach to pain management, it is possible to regain a better quality of life and promote long-term healing of cervical and lumbar pains.
Physio & Co. is here to offer you the highest level of care in home physiotherapy. Contact us today at 819-943-7745 to enjoy the many benefits of personalized, convenient, and effective physiotherapy in the comfort of your home.
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