About 30 years ago, medicine had a shift in how they thought pain should be addressed. "Pain is a 5th vital sign" became a rallying cry, and new medications were created to block pain...at all costs. They now know that these medications created a never-before-seen healthcare epidemic. To begin with, the drugs weren't very good at addressing chronic pain, and they require larger and larger doses to achieve an effect over time.
Taking a stand against opioids starts with our ability to help people find relief from chronic pain. Nearly all of our primary healthcare organisations have now advocated for a non-drug approach to care. And the data is clear - people are looking for solutions for chronic pain that extend beyond a prescription.
The TGA says that opioids should only be used for the short-term management of severe pain (for example, after surgery) and only when other pain medications are not suitable or effective.
- Over 40% of blogs relating to opioids are focused on people trying to find solutions "beyond the pill"
- Together, we can end the opioid crisis by breaking the cycle of chronic pain with natural and effective healthcare choices
Chronic pain is described as biopsychosocial, which means that it's complex and has many dimensions.
Creating personalised care, goal-oriented, and coordinated care plans are critical and exactly why our practice begins each patient with a complete and thorough evaluation. Our evaluation helps us understand your history, goals, and challenges. From there, we can create a comprehensive plan of care that enables you to find long-term relief from chronic pain.