The opioid crisis has now been made a national emergency. I see pain mismanagement every day. Patients will come into my office and either try to manage their pain on their own, or are under care of a pain management clinic. In many cases, it’s not working. To approach pain management with only one method, I believe it’s not fair to the patient. Using a multidisciplinary approach, meaning more than just prescribing a drug or injection and considering an alternative helps the patient to have more control in their care. To quote Steven Covey in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, “They want more than aspirin and Band-Aids. They want to solve the chronic underlying problems and focus on the principles that bring long-term results.” This is not only true for personal change, but for taking charge of your body and health. Seeking and trying alternative, scientifically proven methods is not as difficult as you think. I’ll explain the process.
Pills and injections are all I’ve been told will work.
In some cases, yes this may be correct. Patients in my office have been on medications like opioids, have had injections, and even radiofrequency ablation. Sometimes they come to me for an entirely different condition, and when I offer them an alternative to what they’ve been doing for their pain management, they are shocked as to even having an alternative presented to them. Once presented, and they follow through with my alternative prescription, they are not only pain-free, but are slowing down otherwise degenerative conditions. Those booked for spinal surgery, are be able to cancel the surgery and still live a pain free, or reduced pain life. I’ve always said that many people take better care of their car than they do their own body. Consider the engine light going on. When you take your car to the shop, the mechanic does not just shut off the engine light and send you home. They run diagnostics and find out what’s actually wrong and make the necessary repairs. Just having an injection or taking medication is simply shutting the engine light off. Degenerative conditions are exactly that. Degenerative. They worsen over time, and may require surgery quicker than if the patient used an alternative method of pain relief, and paid attention to their condition instead of masking it. There is no magic wand unfortunately. Patients have to take some responsibility in their care and recovery from such serious pain.
How do I know what will work for me?
As a physician, I have to take a detailed history to find out what has worked and what has not worked for you. Even though alternatives like chiropractic and acupuncture for instance, may have been tried, but the right protocols for you may not have been used. As a patient, you have to be as detailed as possible in your description of what you have tried, including what has worked and what has not worked and for how long. Gathering other doctors’ notes, imaging reports and other testing results need to be brought to your consultation. This way, the best treatment program can be offered.
If you or anyone you know, has been using pain management, I may be able to help with an alternative. Even just consulting to determine what additional therapies you may need in conjunction with your traditional pain management could be an option. I offer complementary consultations to my readers. Please call to book an appointment.
For questions regarding my articles, please email me at
[email protected]
Leisa-Marie Grgula, D.C.
Chiropractic Physician
Accurate Care Pain Relief Center
21043 N. Cave Creek Rd. #A9
Phoenix, AZ 85024
602-493-2228
www.CaringPainRelief.com
