Americans are an impatient lot, especially when it comes to pain. We want it gone…not ten minutes from now…right now. Many people reach for an over-the-counter pain pill without thinking twice. And that’s the problem. According to the Southern Medical Journal, there are significant gaps in the average person’s knowledge of over-the-counter drug risks. Forty percent did not know that non-prescription medicines can have toxic effects on the GI tract. Almost two thirds did not understand that these drugs can cause liver and kidney damage. And a full eight out of ten did not under the dangerous relationship between aspirin and asthma.

Are Over-The Counter Drugs A Health Risk?

Way back in 1999, the Department of Health and Human Services stated that the misuse of over-the-counter drugs led to 170,000 hospitalizations every year. This was caused by the “more is better” mentality. Too many people think that if one pill helps the pain a little, four should be great. In addition to damage this does to vital organs, increasing dosage can produce the exact opposite effect. A recent study of teenage headache sufferers by Israeli researchers showed that over-medicating made symptoms worse. Once all analgesics [pain-killers] were removed, headache symptoms decreased over a 2 month period. The exact reason for this is not known, but researchers hypothesized that the drugs suppressed the brain’s production of its own pain-killing chemicals.

If Not Pain Pills, Then What?

Here is a short list of suggestions to keep pain at bay;

1.Exercise. When you move your joints, they hurt less. Exercise also encourages the release of endorphins which are the body’s own feel-good chemicals. That said, don’t expect immediate pain relief on day one. In fact, you may be more sore after the first few exercise sessions. That’s to be expected. Stick with it and your body will adapt to the new regimen.

2.Chiropractic. When it comes to muscle and joint pain, chiropractic is an excellent drug-free alternative to popping pills. Chiropractic works to align the body, taking stress off the nerves. This is a safe and cost effective health care approach that many have never tried. For the majority of patients, a chiropractic adjustment is painless. Typically, patients feel better immediately following treatment.

3.Acupuncture. This is a health care system that has been around for thousands of years. Most Americans know very little about this ancient discipline. The needles used are so thin that most patients don’t feel them at all. The end effect of the treatment can be quite dramatic. Often stubborn muscle spasms and areas of chronic pain vanish with a few treatments. The World Health Organization has approved acupuncture for a wide range of conditions.

4.Fish Oil. The American diet is a disaster on a plate. Packaged foods are made with Omega 6 oils that increase inflammation. Inflammation is a key underlying factor in pain. Fish oil and flax oil are Omega 3 oils and are anti-inflammatory. A supplement should be taken daily. This is not a pain pill, its part of a healthy lifestyle.

5.Lower Blood Sugar. Sugar causes an inflammatory response in the body. Avoid foods that contain high fructose corn syrup. Limit grains and starches. Eat six or seven mini-meals a day instead of two or three large ones. Not only will managing your blood sugar help reduce pain, but it will help control weight and reduce the risk of adult onset diabetes.