Chronic pain can be one of the hardest conditions to live with. Chronic pain can make it a challenge to hold down a job, as well as to enjoy the quality of life many people take for granted. From back pain to headaches to jaw pain, it’s hard for most people around you to understand what you’re going through.
Even worse, a new study shows that doctors have very little imagination when it comes to treating chronic pain, relying almost exclusively on pain medication, which not only has limited effectiveness, it comes with numerous potential dangers associated with medication.
Doctors Prescribe Pain Medication Almost 100% of the Time
According to a recent study that looked at nearly 700 million patient visits from 2000-2007, doctors prescribed pain medication in 99.7% of visits. Only three in a thousand patients were not prescribed pain medication. And it seems that doctors are not very imaginative when it comes to their choice of pain medication. In about 95% of visits, doctors prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
No other drug or nondrug treatment was used in more than 26.4% of visits. In the light of these findings, it seems clear that patients have to take the initiative and talk to their doctor about other treatment options that are available.
TMJ Treatment for Chronic Pain
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a condition that can cause chronic pain in many places, including the jaw, neck, and upper back. It can also lead to chronic headaches. TMJ treatment can be used to reduce or eliminate chronic pain of many types.
If you want to learn whether TMJ treatment can give you relief from chronic pain or reduce your dependence on painkiller drugs, please contact Beyond Exceptional Dentistry in Savannah, Georgia today.
