The Link Between Opioid Abuse and Chronic Pain Conditions

1. The Link Between Opioid Abuse and Chronic Pain Conditions Chronic pain that’s caused by injury or diseases other than cancer is a debilitating medical condition that is among the most controversial to manage.

2. Understanding the Connection Between Opioids and Addiction Opioid medications create an analgesic effect by affecting the part of the brain responsible for pain and pleasure perception, effectively diminishing pain and increasing pleasure. However, the same neurotransmitters affected by opiate use can also cause respiratory depression which is associated with opioid overdose.

3. Holistic Therapies Offering Alternatives to Pain Management More people are turning to holistic therapies as an alternative to pain management that carries no risk of developing dependence or addiction. Many rehab centers offer holistic therapies as part of a treatment program as they often prove invaluable as coping mechanisms in recovery. Finding natural ways to reduce chronic pain is particularly effective over the long term, as there are no harmful side effects or threats to a person's health.

4. Aromatherapy Aromatherapy works to reduce chronic pain by stimulating the senses of smell, using essential plant oils that are either inhaled, applied to the skin or used as a vapor to fill a room with scent. This is a very ancient therapeutic approach that originates from Chinese, Indian, Roman, Egyptian and Greek cultures and today, it is used to treat a wide variety of conditions.

5. Massage Therapy Massage is commonly used in the sporting world to treat injury and pain and most of us are familiar with just how great it makes you feel. However, there is more to this therapeutic touch than inducing relaxation as therapists also manipulate the body’s soft tissue to improve circulation and also the lymphatic system which is partially responsible for immunity.

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