The use of chronic terminology can have a negative impact on patients’ perspectives (making the injury/problem something they must accept) and even hinder their rehab and recovery.

The Past vs the Present

Prescriptions of painkillers were the easy, quick and cheap solution to this problem in the past.

The prescriptions were increased in both quantity and strength as the pain intensified. This often made the condition worse than the original problem. Side effects ranged from nausea and dizziness, to diarrhea and impaired focus, and often became addictive.

In the UK, the number of opioid prescriptions is increasing. This has increased by 75% in the past decade. From 14 million prescriptions written in 2008 to 24 million in 2018.

The medical establishment has recently woken up to an ugly truth: opioids cost the NHS 10 billion pounds per year and do not provide a solution for chronic pain, nor are they effective in managing it. The UK is experiencing the biggest and most alarming silent crisis in decades.

Acupuncture for Pain Relief

Not all is lost. Many Doctors, Clinicians, and Consultants are stressing the importance of a non-pharmacologic, holistic approach to avoid the side effects and costs of opioid prescriptions.

NICE, the National Institute for Care and Excellence, has announced that they are updating their Guidelines on “Chronic Pain: Assessment and Management” and for the first time placing opioid painkillers at the bottom of this list and recommending acupuncture and manual therapy as alternatives to opioids. For Acupuncture Evesham, visit https://www.purelandsacu.co.uk/acupuncture-evesham

It is refreshing to see a move in the right direction towards a conservative approach, supported by solid, research-based evidence, for tackling the chronic pain epidemic.

In several studies, it has been demonstrated that acupuncture can help reduce pain and tension.