Could Pain Be Your Friend?

No one likes pain, no argument there. The pharmaceutical industry makes a fortune from selling over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications to dull, numb, or mask pain. Chiropractic adjustments often take the pain away within 60 minutes, sometimes less – utilizing no drugs whatsoever. A deep-seated pain may, of course, take longer.

Pain is information. If the oil light went on in your car that would be a way for your car to give you information. If you had the choice between someone disconnecting the light so that you couldn’t see it anymore or getting the engine some oil, which would you choose?

The choice is obvious. Ignoring the oil light by masking it would result in tremendous expense and perhaps the need for a new car. Why do we treat our valuable body any differently? Why do we consider it to be a good idea to mask pain with pain relievers rather than get to the root cause of where it’s coming from? Let’s explore this further.

What Is Pain?

The nervous system is a major controlling system of the body, communicating a tremendous amount of information through the miles of nerves coursing through the body from the brain through the spinal cord and out to all the organs, muscles, and back.

Pressure on a nerve can cause pain, numbness, and/or weakness. Inflammation is a natural body reaction to an irritant and can cause swelling of the irritated tissues. Swelling in a joint cause joint pain; swelling of the sinuses can cause a sinus headache. Organ swelling can put pressure on surrounding nerves thus causing pain. As an example, an expanded uterus during menstruation often causes abdominal pain; sometimes low back pain. Spinal misalignments stress the joints where one vertebra connects with another, causing joint inflammation and pain. The information that pain provides is that something is misaligned in the body, taking up too much room, or pressing on surrounding nerves. The purpose of pain is to draw our attention to an area of the body needing some extra attention. The smart thing to do at that point is to find out the reason for the pain, not ignore it or mask it with a drug.

What Pill Can I Take? What’s the Quick Fix?

Rather than figure out what is causing a particular pain and addressing that root cause, many people just want the pain to go away – fast. There are many drugs you can take to relieve pain symptoms – and they are a ‘quick fix’ – but are they a healthy fix and is it a lasting ‘fix’? Unfortunately, the answer is a resounding “No!”. While chronic use of popular OTC medications (Tylenol, Aleve, Excedrin, etc.) or stronger prescription drugs are potentially damaging to:

• the liver which filters toxins

• the stomach resulting in possible bleeding or ulcers

• the heart resulting in a greater risk of heart attack and stroke

• the small intestine, compromising absorption of vital nutrients needed by the body

Drugs Are Dangerous

Medical studies point out some of the dangers of the use and misuse of popular pain medications (1). Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in Tylenol and the most popular over the counter medication for pain and fever worldwide. It is also included in other over the counter formulas for cold, flu, and sinus medications (Theraflu, Triaminic, Sudafed, etc.).

A study revealed that 50% of all liver failure cases requiring a transplant were due to acetaminophen (Tylenol). While half of those were caused by taking too much of the product, the other half were individuals who took the medication ‘properly’.

Similarly, another common over the counter medications have been revealed to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke when taken for longer than two weeks at a time. Such shocking information is not known by the typical consumer of these ‘safe’ medications.

Does Resolving the Cause of Pain Permanently Sound Good?

Pain medication may occasionally be necessary for brief periods of time to reduce intense pain that is preventing sleep or daily functioning. Misalignment of bones, inflammation of the joints, and tight muscles are all potential causes of pain. This pain and others such as headaches can be reduced or eliminated by chiropractic adjustments and physical therapy.

Pain Is Not Normal

If you experience pain that does not go away with some easy stretches or repositioning your posture, it would be wise to explore where it’s coming from. Pain can come on suddenly or gradually over days, weeks, or even months.

Some pain is understandable and from a known cause, such as a fall, while others, derived from stress or postural habits, may seem to be more elusive and non-trauma related. Whatever your situation, know that your pain is not normal and it does not stem from a Tylenol or aspirin deficiency! Drugs only mask the symptoms; they don’t treat the cause of the problem. If you live with pain, you don’t have to. We’re here to help.