Three Tips For Reducing Your Reliance On Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers
Pain relieving drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen can seem like an almost magical solution to back pain, but it's easy to get too dependent on them and take them too often. Since these drugs can cause nasty side effects like intestinal and liver damage, you may want to reduce your reliance on them. The following tips can help you do just that:
Tip #1: Work on spacing out your doses, not just cutting them down.
Instead of just reducing your dose, try spacing your doses further apart as you begin reducing your use of pain relievers. For instance, if you usually take 2 ibuprofen pills every 4 hours, start taking 2 ibuprofen pills every 5 hours. After a few days, start taking them just every 6 hours. This way, you'll reduce your daily dose without potentially having to deal with a lot of back pain because you just cut the dose you've been taking in half.
Tip #2: Find a natural pain relief replacement for your pills.
It's always easier to wean yourself off of something if you can replace it with something else. Find an herbal supplement that reduces your pain levels. Make sure it is safe to take along with your pain relievers if you are still taking them. This information is often included on the label – if it is not, ask your physician if the supplement is safe to take along with your pain medication.
Good pain relieving herbs to try include ginger and turmeric, both of which are thought to reduce pain by reducing inflammation in a manner similar to drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Another supplement you may want to try is devil's claw. Some people have found it effective for relieving lower back pain, in particular, but more research is needed to confirm its effects.
Tip #3: Work with a chiropractor.
If you're not already seeing a chiropractor for your back pain, now is the time to start. Chiropractic adjustments, when performed on a regular basis, can do wonders for back pain. Perhaps once you start having adjustments, you won't even need your pain killers at all.
If you are seeing a chiropractor, be open and honest with him or her about your use of pain relievers. There are various methods and manners of adjustment that chiropractors can use to alleviate back pain. If the methods your chiropractor is using now are still leaving you with pain that you've been popping pills to treat, it's important to let the chiropractor know so he or she can try some different methods.
For more information, contact Yaeger Chiropractic or a similar location.