5 common pain and pain relief myths
Great strides have been made in the understanding of pain and its
treatment in the last decade. Pain that was once considered hopeless is
now manageable.Medical evidence proves that many of the beliefs about
pain and pain relief are false. Here’s what experts say you should know
about five of the most common pain relief myths.
 Pain
relief myth 1: No pain, no gain.
This myth persists among bodybuilders and weekend athletes. Yet there
is no evidence to support the notion that you can build strength by
exerting muscles to the point of pain. A related belief, ‘Work through
the pain’, is also mistaken. Resting to repair muscles and bring pain
relief might not be macho, but it’s a smart thing to do. You may also
need to modify your exercise routine with cross training; lighter, more
frequent workouts; and proper shoes.
Pain relief myth 2: It’s all in my head.
Pain is a complex problem, involving both the mind and the body. For
instance, back pain has no known cause in most cases, and stressful life
events can make it worse. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t real. Pain is
an invisible problem that others can’t see, but that doesn’t mean it’s
all in your head.
Pain relief myth 3: I just have to live with the pain.
There are countless options for pain relief. They include relaxation
techniques, exercise, physical therapy, over-the-counter and
prescription medications, surgery, and complementary treatments such
as acupuncture and massage. It may not always be possible to completely
control your pain, but you can use many techniques to help manage it
much better.
Pain relief myth 4: Only sissies go to the Doctor for pain relief.
Older adults are more prone than their kids or grandkids to ‘grin and
bear it’. Enduring the occasional headache or minor sports injury is one
thing. But putting up with chronic pain can impair functioning and
quality of life.
It can lead to depression, fatigue from loss of sleep, anxiety,
inability to work, and impaired relationships.
Most pain can be treated effectively and should be. If you are
suffering from pain, you owe it to yourself to make an appointment with
your doctor. Relief may be just around the corner.
Pain relief myth 5: I’ll get addicted to pain medication.
Health care providers begin with a conservative approach to pain
relief and prescribe non-narcotic pain-relief medications, which are not
addictive. Doctors may prescribe narcotics, such as codeine andmorphine,
if pain becomes severe, such as when treating cancer pain. Many people
fear that they will become addicted to narcotics. Physical dependence is
not the same thing as addiction. And, physical dependence isn’t a
problem as long as you do not stop taking the narcotics suddenly.
Addiction to narcotics is not usually a problem, unless you have a
history of recreational drug or alcohol addiction. If you do, discuss
this with your health care provider before starting any pain medicine.
-WebMD
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