Understanding Medical Restrictions

Opioids are powerful medications that are valuable tools for doctors and patients alike. Unfortunately, while they're very good at controlling pain, they're also highly addictive. With opioid addiction across the country spiraling out of control and even lowering the average life expectancy by two years, people who take opioids for legitimate pain are seeking alternatives. If you're one of them, give these three ideas a try to defeat your pain without relying on dangerous opioids.

CBD

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one component of the marijuana plant that's been found to be very useful in controlling pain. Unlike THC and other chemicals found in marijuana, CBD is non-hallucinogenic, not psychoactive, and doesn't come with many of the unwanted side effects that getting high carries.

While the idea of using a medication based on a drug might concern you, CBD has been shown to be much safer than opioids. Recent studies have revealed that legalizing marijuana may actually reduce the number of opioid overdoses across the country. In addition, the World Health Organization has declared that CBD isn't addictive, so it doesn't carry the dangers that opioids do.

Physical Therapy

Pain can stem from a wide variety of illnesses, ailments, and injuries. However, physical therapy can be useful for almost all of them.

In many cases, pain begins at the physical level, due to a problem with the bones, tissues, or muscles. Physical therapy is immediately helpful in treating these problems. However, for people who are suffering from mental health problems or diseases of the brain, physical therapy can still be useful. Mental health issues like anxiety have been shown to cause real physical side effects, like uncontrollable muscle cramps. While looking for help for the cause is a necessity, a physical therapist can help you to mitigate the pain your body is suffering as a result of the mental disorder.

Meditation

Meditation is useful for a wide variety of things, but it's especially been shown to be helpful in coping with pain. Studies have discovered that people who meditate have an altered perception of pain which makes it more tolerable for them. While meditation may not cure your problem, it can help to make your daily life more livable and enjoyable.

Pain is a serious problem for many people, and opioids are an easy way of reducing the pain threshold. Unfortunately, the long list of negative side effects and dangerous risk to life make these medications less than ideal. If you're struggling with pain but don't want to take opioids, remember these three tips. For more information, contact companies like Stellar Family and Occupational Medical Group.