Madison Area Lyme Support Group

https://www.paintreatmentdirectory.com/posts/anti-inflammatory-drugs-increase-likelihood-of-chronic-pain

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Increase Likelihood of Chronic Pain

By: Cindy Perlin, LCSW

Please see link for article.

SUMMARY:

• Researchers from Montreal found those who became pain-free had an early inflammatory response that activated neutrophils (white blood cell that fights infection).
• Those who developed chronic pain had did not have this inflammatory response and lacked these neutrophils.
• The researchers had similar findings in patients with TMD.
• The researchers than studied mice:
  • mice given the steroid dexamethasone or the NSAID diclofenac had pain duration that lasted 10 times longer.
    • When these mice were given an injection of neutrophils or associated proteins it prevented the development of long-lasting pain.
  • mice given gabapentin, morphine and lidocaine did not experience this duration of pain.
• A UK study in 500,000 people with acute low back pain found those who took NSAIDs were nearly twice as likely to still have pain 2-6 years later than those that took anti-inflammatories.
• NSAIDS have risks including heart attacks, strokes, GI bleeding, kidney damage and suppression of immunity. Risks increase after just a week or two of use.
• Use of opioids also increases the likelihood for chronic pain, and 10-12% will develop an addiction causing overdoses and deaths. They also suppress the immune system.
• Cannabinoids found in marijuana and hemp; however, are potent natural anti-inflammaories that have been used safely for thousands of years.
• Omega 3 fatty acids are also natural and help the body move through inflammation rather than suppress it. Fish oil, a source of omega-3 fatty acids, is more effective in treating arthritis than pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Homeopathy has also been used successfully, and similarly helps the body produce a more robust healing response to pain rather than suppressing it.
• Numerous herbs have been identified that are anti-inflammatory without the serious side effects of NSAIDs. These include curcumin (turmeric), white willow bark, pycnogenol, boswellia, resveratrol, cat’s claw and others.
• Red and infrared light (low level or cold laser) therapy or photobiomodulation has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects without any adverse effects.