Pain medication management involves achieving freedom from prescription opiates through intentional modified behavior. Individuals who are taking this type of medication can choose not to take all of the pills that are prescribed to them, and should understand that a pain free life may not be possible for them. Living a healthy lifestyle is one of many alternative forms of pain management that these individuals can employ to free themselves from the need for daily prescription pain medications. Severe forms of addiction may require the intervention of a medical expert and rehabilitation in a specialized facility.
Many forms of pain medication are based on opiates, which can become habit forming and create addictive behavior over time. These types of pain relief are typically only prescribed by doctors in extreme situations in which other forms of pain relief seem to be ineffective. They are often prescribed on a limited basis with few or no refills, to encourage those taking them not to become addicted. Those who are aware of the negative side effects of these drugs can begin their pain medication management by understanding that it is not necessary to take all of the pills prescribed to them by the doctor. In the days immediately following the source of the pain, whether an injury or surgery, pain medication can be taken regularly, but as the pain lessens, more generic forms of management can be employed.
Knowing that prescription medication is only one form of pain relief is another form of pain medication management. Over the counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can be used to treat mild, daily forms of pain, including certain types of arthritis. Muscle and joint pains are often lessened by applying heating or cooling packs to the affected areas and relieving them of weight for short periods of time throughout the day. The body also works more effectively at combating pain and keeping fatigue away when it receives a balanced diet and daily exercise. Using prescription pain medication should typically be reserved for those times when pain is beyond management or relief by any other technique.
Doctors often encourage their patients to remember that some pain is a normal part of everyday living. Most people experience some form of pain, whether mild or severe, on a daily basis. This can take the form of strained back muscles from performing a repetitive activity, or tired feet from standing for long periods of time, to stress headaches. Those who experience intense chronic pain tend to believe that living pain free is their ultimate goal, and are willing to take daily pain pills to achieve this goal. Instead, as part of pain medication management, it is important to recognize that some small pain is inevitable, and it is more important to live a healthy lifestyle than to mask all unpleasant feelings or physical sensations.
Those who believe they may be addicted to prescription pain medication should seek the help of a trained medical professional. The ultimate form of pain medication management for many individuals is a drug rehabilitation center. This type of program seeks to work with participants to understand the many sources of their addictions, both physical and mental, and encourage them to achieve a lifestyle free from dependency on opiates. Those who believe they are more prone to this type of addiction can benefit by requesting non-opiate based forms of medication for pain management that are less likely or not at all likely to create a chemical dependency.