Are There Better Options for Pain Relief?
As you likely know, I am not a fan of most prescription and OTC drugs. But pain relievers do sometimes get an exception; I don’t know about you but I am VERY grateful for analgesics and anesthetics, when they are used properly. Acute traumas frequently result in injuries that will benefit by temporarily blocking your pain response, as do surgeries and certain other indications. Of course these drugs are easily abused, but if used carefully and wisely I believe they are a great advance in health care. The type of use that painkillers often are NOT indicated for is the minor cold, headache, fever, ache or pain that cause many people to pop Tylenol and other pain relievers like candy. In these cases you are not doing your body any favors by taking drugs, and instead should seek to address the underlying cause of your pain or discomfort. Often, it will be related to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, not enough sleep or chronic stress. To relieve this type of minor pain, or even more sev
