There are many non-opioid pain relievers you can access in a bid to prevent opioid addiction. Opioids are potent in pain management and reduction but they can be quite addictive. People end up abusing them just to get “high”.

Recently, opioid addiction has been a source of concern to the Canadian government. Studies show that about 17 people are hospitalized daily for opioid overdose in Canada. Also, the number of opioid-related deaths keeps increasing. The opioid crisis is now a leading health and safety concern.

Thankfully, non-opioid pain relievers can play a major role in reducing opioid-related addiction problems. Also, there are natural pain relievers you can apply to ease chronic pains.

They mitigate the need for opioids thereby reducing addiction problems. Read on to learn more about non-opioid medication for managing pain.

Best Non Opioid Pain Relievers to Consider

Non-opioid pain relievers aren’t dangerous to your health. Neither will they expose you to opioid addiction. Another advantage is that there is a wide range of non-opioid options you can apply to reduce and manage pains. You have the advantage of choice.

If you’re already facing addiction problems, you need to seek opioid addiction treatment. The techniques or methods below will only help to reduce the need for opioids for pain relief and management. They won’t help you manage opioid addiction.

Low-Level Laser Therapy

This therapy form is also known as cold laser therapy. It involves a laser device that emits rays of a specific wavelength. This therapy is administered and absorbed directly into your injury. Then, it facilitates the repair of your tissues and curbs inflammation.

Hire the Service of a Chiropractor

Chiropractic physicians are professionals that specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders. They can help you correct your body’s alignment by making your bones crack in specific positions.

It relieves pain and improves the way your body functions. Your body will also undergo a self-healing process as a result of it.

Mind-body Control Techniques

Neural pathways connect the brain and body by transmitting signals that control how your body functions. They also control breathing, pain sensations, digestion, movement and thoughts.

So, this technique involves mastering how to mediate between your mind and body. It’ll give you the ability to have control over specific body functions. Of course, some professionals can help you with this method.

Mastering the mind-body technique can make you relax your nerves when you want to. When you relax your nerves you can reduce the rate at which your brain receives pain signals. Pain-based clinics or health centers mostly adopt this technique for pain relief.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapists employ a method called somatic tracking. It has to do with taking out time to observe the feelings and sensations in your body.

Somatic tracking is an excellent method that aids the rewiring of a stressed nervous system. It does this by drawing your attention to your body sensations.

Your mind is more powerful than you think. This non-opioid pain relief option is solely dependent on you having to focus on the pain sensation and finding a way around it.

Non-opioid Medications

Medications that are non-opioid pain relievers are also quite effective in treating specific aches. You can get these medications over the counter in pharmaceutical stores.

Examples include Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Acetaminophen (Tylenol) among others. Using non-opioid medication is the best way to prevent opioid addiction.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient practice from traditional Chinese medicine. It involves inserting thin needles through your skin to alleviate pain. The specialist will have to insert needles into your body at strategic points and different depths. Doing this aids the release of endorphins — substances that kill pain — in your body.

This technique also affects your serotonin level which can enhance your mood positively. It’s proven that a happy state of mind enhances your mood and reduces pain sensations.

Tai-Chi and Yoga

Yoga and tai-chi can be very helpful in reducing pain, especially in your lower back area. These fitness programs strengthen muscles in your abdomen and pelvic area designed to support your lower back.

Tai-Chi and yoga incorporate breath control, meditation and other activities that help with chronic pain reduction. You can engage in these programs as an alternative to opioids when dealing with pain. It’ll not be easy at first but with commitment and time, you’ll begin to see the effects.

Pain Relieving Devices

Using pain-relieving devices like crutches, shoe orthotics, massagers and splints can hugely relieve pain. You can use these devices to support joint pains, ease pressure and soothe general pain.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound therapy is a non-opioid pain relief option that uses soundwaves to manage pain. When sound waves get into your tissue, they improve blood circulation.

Increased blood flow activates certain central nervous mechanisms that help to reduce pain. It will also reduce inflammation and fast-track healing processes.

Iontophoresis

Generally, it involves the use of electricity to push medication into damaged tissues in your body. It can also be called transdermal drug delivery. The electric field created during iontophoresis increases the permeability of your skin thereby allowing medications to pass through.

Physical therapists use this procedure to treat different conditions. It works simply by applying basic ideas of electrical polarity. It’s also useful for reducing inflammation and pain.

Related Article: How Much Does Opioid Addiction Treatment Cost in Canada?

Natural Methods for Dealing With Pains: Alternative to Opioids

There are lots of ways you can manage pain naturally. You may be applying some of these methods unconsciously or at a minute level. With deliberate effort, you’ll be able to increase their effectiveness. These methods below explain how to manage pain naturally.

Adequate Sleep

Getting adequate sleep is very crucial when it comes to managing and reducing pain. When you deny your body sleep, it becomes pain-sensitive. Proper sleep may just be the solution to your chronic pain.

It’s possible that sleep alters pain through different neural pathways. This largely depends on the condition and type of sleep deprivation.

Engaging in exercises that’ll exhaust your body enables you to get the right amount of sleep. Also, you can adopt psychological techniques like visualization and meditation to help you get to sleep. It’s also advisable to choose sleeping aids that work for you.

Eat Healthily

Generally, eating healthy helps your body fight against anti-bodies. Asides from that, it also plays a major role in reducing pains. Cut down on all unhealthy eating patterns. Instead, you want to familiarize yourself with anti-inflammatory or mediterranean diets.

These diets mostly contain nutrients like Serrapeptase. It helps to clear cellular debris that can lead to pain in your body. This is a very effective way to manage pain naturally.

Guided Imagery

This process is also known as Guided Affective Imagery or Katathym-Imaginative- Psychotherapy. It simply involves the use of your imagination to create appealing mental images. You can hire the service of a professional or you can try DIY methods.

These mentally generated pictures may be pictures of a place, moments or someone that makes you happy. Guided imagery can be very therapeutic and helpful in disrupting pain signals.

Use of Essential Oils

When different oils are mixed with traditional treatments, they have analgesic effects. You can apply some to your massage oils or you can inhale some (Aromatherapy). Examples of these oils include:

• Peppermint oil
• Helichrysum oil
• Marjoram oil
• Lavender oil
• Eucalyptus oil
• Rosemary

Ensure you research these essential oils before you start to use them. It’ll reduce the risk of toxic or allergic reactions.

Warm Water Therapy

Your body can be free of pains and spasms when you use warm water therapy. All you have to do is soak yourself in a bathtub, warm pool or whirlpool tub. Warm water has very relaxing effects that you can take advantage of to reduce pain.

Icing Technique

You must have seen athletes use this technique every now and then. It’s also one of the oldest orthodox methods of dealing with pain.

To use the icing technique, apply an ice pack directly to the affected area for 15 minutes. Hold off for about 2 hours before any re-applications.

This is one of the best natural methods for dealing with pain. It’s healthier and reduces the risk of opioid addiction.

Related Article: What Should You Look For in an Opioid Addiction Center?

Final Words

Undergoing any form of pain can be very discomforting. That’s why people resort to opioids for pain relief. Opioids can be very addictive and are the source of a major health crisis in Canada.

Pain management is also possible with non-opioid pain relievers. As the name implies, they’re void of opioids. It may be a natural technique or non-opioid medication. With these pain management options, there is no risk of addiction or dependence.

However, if you or a loved one are already abusing opioids, the next logical step is to seek professional help. Here at Inspire Change Wellness Centre for Men, we’ll listen to you, provide a consultation session and devise a treatment plan for opioid abuse. Call +18885089802 today to learn more!