BACK PAIN
Non-drug Options:
- Staying physically active is the single most important thing you can do to treat back pain.
- Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Massage, Pilates and Yoga might also help some people.
Drug Options:
- Try this first – Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprophen or naproxen for pain relief.
- If that doesn’t work -Talk to your doctor about a muscle relaxant. Skip opiods, they don’t work any better and risks are high.
HEADACHES
Non-drug Options:
- Cut back on foods, caffeine, alcohol that set them off.
- Exercise, control stress with meditation and other relaxation therapies work well.
- Avoid overusing OTC drugs -these can cause rebound headaches.
Drug Options:
- Try this first – Acetaminophen in appropriate doses. Ibuprofen and naproxen are OK too, if you don’t use them too often.
- If that doesn’t work – You may have a migraine. If it is MILD, consider a product with a combo of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine.
- If it is SEVERE or persistent, talk to your doctor about a drug called a triptan (i.e. sumatriptan). But use cautiously, they increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
JOINT PAIN
Non-drug Options:
- Regular low-impact exercise like walking or yoga, and stretching are best!
Drug Options:
- Try this first – Ibuprofen and naproxen work better than acetaminophen because they ease inflammation. Limit their use though -taking them long term can cause serious stomach and bleeding problems.
- If that doesn’t work – Ask your doctor about a higher dose prescription strength ibuprofen.
SORE MUSCLES:
Non-drug Options:
- Apply ice asap for up to 20min, 3-4xday after acute injury. This will reduce blood flow, swelling, and inflammation.
- Also, rest and elevate the area. After 24-48hours, switch to heat to relax the muscles and improve circulation.
Drug Options:
- Try this first – Ibuprofen and naproxen help tame inflammation.
- If that doesn’t work – Try OTC pain-relief creams with menthol (Biofreeze), capsaicin, or methyl salicylate.
- Never combine with heating pads!
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