Pain medications (analgesics) are not all the same. Each pain medication has its advantages and risks. Specific types of pain may respond better to one kind of medication than to another kind. Each person may have a slightly different response to a pain medication. Over-the-counter medications are good for many types of pain. There are alternate methods to help reduce pain that may be helpful instead of, or in addition to, pain medications. These include heat for sore or overworked muscles, ice applied to recent injuries, massage, resting the affected body part, and biofeedback or relaxation techniques. Consult your doctor if pain lasts longer than a few days, if over-the-counter pain medications are not helping to reduce the pain, or if other symptoms arise. A consultation with a pain clinic or other specialist may be helpful for control of long-term pain. No matter how significant your pain becomes, you and your doctor should always pay attention to the other aspects of your physical and emotional health that can affect how you experience pain.
Posted by announcer on Tuesday, May 8th, 2007
