We at Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics are seeing more cases of chronic pain that tend to flare up now and into winter months with cooler, damper weather– typically lower back pain, neck pain, and joint pain. But, unless you seek professional care, and instead try to medicate, you run the risk of addiction.

Many will primarily seek out prescription medications to treat their pain- some will go as far as seeking out opioids in an attempt to manage it. People may be prescribed opioid pain medications to treat their chronic pain or relieve pain following surgery. Shockingly, 80% of people who use heroin began using prescription pain pills, highlighting that physical pain can also increase a person’s risk for developing an addiction.

With approximately one third of all adults ages 50 to 80 years claiming to have filled a prescription for painkillers within the past two years (according to a University of Michigan poll)–and as many as a quarter of them battling long-term addiction–here are some ways we suggest safely managing chronic pain:

First of all, come in to visit with Dr. Hall at Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics to get an evaluation of the source of your pain and take advantage of our personalized programs and holistic approach that aims at correcting orthopedic injuries and alleviating pain without surgery and without prescription drugs.

We can help you avoid using dangerous or addictive medications.

Safe home remedies to use:

• Using heating pads to lessen stiffness.
• Applying cold compresses or ice for up to 20 minutes at a time to ease swelling and inflammation.
• Gentle and regular stretching exercises (see our Clinical Exercise program).
• Performing light exercises such as walking or swimming.

Come see Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics if pain persists for more than a week or two. For an appointment, please call us at (423) 499-0003.

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