3 Reasons Why Medication Can’t Provide Lasting Results
When you’re in pain, it’s only natural to want to find a solution that provides the quickest relief in the simplest way possible.
Because of this, many people will first visit their primary care physician when looking for help with physical pain. These doctors, who typically don’t specialize in musculoskeletal problems or traumatic injuries, often default to prescribing medication for pain relief. And since medication can give almost instantaneous relief, you might feel that you’ve found the best option and don’t need to seek further treatment.
But will your medication give you lasting relief? In most cases, the answer is no.
If you’re suffering from chronic pain, headaches, a traumatic injury, or another musculoskeletal issue, it’s important to explore all the treatment options available to you instead of only relying on medication.
Here are three key reasons why medication falls short for treating physical pain, along with some practical alternatives you can explore with a chiropractor.
1. Medication Masks Symptoms, But it Doesn’t Heal
It’s great to experience relief from your pain, but keep in mind that medication typically just puts a Band-Aid on the problem. And since many common injuries don’t heal well on their own, your pain will continue to bother you for months or even years to come.
You’ll likely continue to rely on pain medication, and as you develop a tolerance to it over time, you’ll need to continue to take higher and higher doses in order to experience the same results.
Additionally, you may make your injury worse, because medication numbs your pain, making it impossible for you to tell which movements or activities are further irritating the injured area.
When you visit a chiropractor, we instead work with you to re-align your body in a way that promotes natural healing. This not only relieves your discomfort in the short term, but it also encourages lasting healing throughout your body. In many cases, this means you’ll recover in a short time and won’t need to rely on medication or frequent treatments for the rest of your life.
At Rush Chiropractic, we recognize that medication can serve as a valuable tool when used wisely, but you should never view it as the only option. Dr. Rush explained:
“We are not against taking medications when necessary, such as for diabetes, high blood pressure, and even for pain in some cases. However, we will do our best to decrease or even get rid of your pain as soon as possible so you don’t have to take any medications. And if medications are necessary, we will send you in the right direction with little or no hassle.”
2. Medication Causes Side Effects
Many people view side effects as a necessary evil that they can tolerate in exchange for the results they desire. But what if you could reduce your pain without suffering from complications?
This is especially important because some of the most common pain management medications come with a particularly nasty list of possible side effects.
Common side effects to prescription pain medications can include:
- Blurred vision
- Clouded thinking
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Mood changes
- Nausea
- Weight gain
These side effects can interfere with your daily life in major ways, especially if you require the medication for an extended period of time. For example, many pain medications impair your ability to drive a car, which can limit your work opportunities and hurt your social life.
In serious cases such as a traumatic accident or debilitating chronic pain, a doctor may prescribe opioids. But these medications are highly addictive, so you will typically have to switch to a different medication, which may not provide the same relief. Plus, opioid overdoses are extremely common and can cause lasting health problems or even death.
By working with a chiropractor, you can find lasting relief without the side effects. We have a variety of effective treatments at our disposal, such as spinal manipulation, electrical muscle stimulation and spinal decompression therapy.
“As we all know, medications have side effects, so we always strive for alternatives if at all possible to help with your pain,” Dr. Rush explained.
3. Medication Won’t Prevent Future Injuries
Doctors will often prescribe medication without completing a full diagnostic process to understand the root cause of the patient’s discomfort. Chiropractors, on the other hand, work with their patients to diagnose the issue and figure out solutions for both the current problem and for future prevention.
As a result, chiropractic patients can often avoid further injuries or correct minor problems before they become a larger concern.
For example, if you’re suffering from back pain that’s tied to poor posture or a less-than-ideal work setup, a chiropractor can help you address those concerns with tools like education, spinal manipulation, and exercise advice. If you only take medication, you might never address the actual cause of the pain, and it will likely worsen over time.
Additionally, injuries in one part of the body can often lead to issues in other areas when left unhealed. Chiropractors are uniquely able to adjust the body to improve alignment and prevent these future issues.
And because medication doesn’t prevent future injuries, research suggests that chiropractic care can actually save patients money over time, because chiropractic patients are less likely to require expensive medication, and they may see lower rates of hospital admissions, surgeries, and other expensive treatments.
Ready to Find an Alternative Pain Management Strategy?
If medication has failed to give you the results you’re looking for, or if you’re suffering from a new injury and want to treat it naturally, our team at Rush Chiropractic can help.
Give us a call today at (954)432-5006 to schedule a consultation and start the healing process.
Dr. Rush is a 1994 graduate of the University of Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Sports Science and Wellness.
Dr. Rush earned his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree at Life University in 2000 where he was honored with magna cum laude. Dr. Rush was born and raised in South Florida where he returned after graduation. He currently practices in Pembroke Pines, Florida where he owns and operates Rush Chiropractic and Rehab at Pembroke Pines FL.
