PAIN RELIEF BASICS
Research shows that an overwhelming 85 per cent of the global population experience some form of body pain at least occasionally. Pain could significantly impact our lives both directly and indirectly. People living with pains may have their quality of life diminished as it could have adverse emotional, physical, social and economic implications. For instance, pains might create limitation on various aspects of our lives including parenting, hobbies, career and social interactions. Some people are unable to maintain gainful employment or participate in physical activities with their families and friends because of severe pains. Furthermore, the negative consequences of pain often spill-over to relatives of pain sufferers; this could result from reduced household income, or anxiety and worries from seeing loved ones incapacitated by pain
The GSK Global Pain Index suggests that, more often than not, people (especially those in the 18-34 age range) would self-diagnose their pain rather than see a doctor. More disturbing is the fact that most people who self-diagnose have relatively low knowledge of the medication they use for their pains. This behaviour is potentially dangerous.
A wide range of treatments are available for different types of pains, but it is important to first understand the pain you are suffering from in order to establish appropriate options for treatment. A few of the common remedies for pain are examined below:
1. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs
One of the most common remedies for pain is the use of OTC pain killers – many of which belong to a class of drugs known as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). Examples of NSAID drugs include Aspirin and Ibruprofen, which are helpful for treating common conditions like headaches, backaches, muscle aches, inflammation, and fever. NSAID drugs work by stopping the production of pain-causing biological mediators called prostaglandins, which causes inflammation.
2. Prescription Drugs
These are usually stronger opioid drugs (e.g. Codeine and Morphine) that can become addictive by producing feelings of euphoria that some people might want to experience repeatedly. They are used to treat moderate to severe pains, especially from surgery or serious injuries. Unlike OTCs, prescription pain killers can only be bought with a doctor’s prescription. They ease pain by minimising the transmission of pain messages to the brain.
3. Hot Therapy
Hot therapy is also known as hot compress or thermotherapy. It works mainly by using heat sensation to increase blood flow to the injured area. This relaxes stiff muscles and stops pain signals. Hot therapy is more appropriate for arthritis, stiffness and ongoing muscle or joint pains.
4. Cold Therapy
Cold therapy can also be referred to as cold compress or cryotherapy. It relieves pain by doing the opposite of hot therapy – using cold sensation to narrow the blood vessels around the injured area. This helps to reduce inflammation and soothe nerve impulses. Cold therapy is more appropriate for use right after an injury, especially when the need is to stop inflammation or slow down bleeding. It can be applied for up to 72 hours after an injury; thereafter, hot therapy may be used.
5. Exercise
Although rest is often recommended as a method of pain relief, a growing number of studies suggest that regular exercise can effectively ease pain. Exercise works by releasing the body’s natural pain killers called endorphins; it also relieves pain by improving strength, muscle tone and flexibility. In addition, cardio and flexibility exercises can help increase the tolerance level for pains, as well as support weight loss, which in turn eases the strain on painful joints.
Exercise has been used to treat a variety of conditions including chronic low back pains, shoulder disorder, fibromyalgia and injured spinal discs. Exercises like Yoga, swimming, walking, biking and rowing can be helpful for pain relief, but it is important to consult your doctor before embarking on any exercise as a short or long term remedy for body pain.
6. Physiotherapy and Therapeutic Massage
Physiotherapy and therapeutic massage are commonly used remedies to treat body pain. While therapeutic massage largely focuses on relaxing stiff muscles to help improve blood flow and ease muscle spasm, physiotherapy is geared towards improving strength, flexibility and mobility. Physiotherapy treatments can be preventative or rehabilitative and much more far-reaching than therapeutic massage. Some of the treatments relates to pains from muscles and ligaments, joints, sports injuries, Osteoporosis trauma to the spine etc.
In addition to the remedies mentioned above, there are a wide variety of other treatments people depend on for pain relief. These could be anything from Acupuncture, herbal remedies, and electrical stimulation, to music and many more. Nonetheless, many people are living with pain unnecessarily because they do not understand the causes or the most appropriate pain relief remedy to apply. It is wise to always discuss with your doctor before opting to use any remedy.
GSK Global Pain Index established that pain affects almost everybody at some point in their lives. It impacts our mental health, causing anxiety and changes in moods. Unfortunately, 80 per cent of people who suffer from pain weekly have decreased quality of life as a result.
The impact of pain is not only limited to individuals. Businesses and the global economy at large lose more than 245 billion USD annually from days taken off work as a result of pain.
References:
Nall, R., 2018. Pain Relief Basics. USA: Healthline Media. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-relief [Assessed 2 April 2020]
Pharmacy Magazine. Topical pain relief: back to basics. United Kingdom: Pharmacy Magazine. Available from: https://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk/topical-pain-relief-back-to-basics [Assessed 2 April 2020]
Global pain index 2017 report – https://www.gsk.com/media/3814/global-pain-index-2017-report.pdf
GSK, 2017. GSK Global Pain Index. United Kingdom: GSK. Available from: https://www.gsk.com/media/3814/global-pain-index-2017-report.pdf [Assessed 2 April 2020