Over the Counter (OTC) Pain Medications

April 9, 2009 | By Dr. Gary Nolan | In Chiropractic

OTC pain medications or chiropractic care?

“Take an aspirin and call me in the morning.” Pain medication ads are everywhere touting relief for everything. This has resulted in an over-medicated society that is actually making us feel worse, rather than better. Many new patients at FLC tell the same story, “I used to take aspirin a couple times a day, now I never take it since being under chiropractic care.”

Pain is an amazing warning system that alerts us when our body is injured. Unfortunately, most of us have been “trained” to take OTC pain meds to disable this system so we can go on with our day, pain-free. They “hide” the pain, but do not address its cause. This action is quite similar to taking the batteries out of the smoke detector during a fire. Pain is carried, by our nervous system, from the injury site to our brains so that we can take action (e.g. removing your hand from a hot stove). Since the spine protects the central nervous system, often a subluxated spine is the cause of pain or the reason injuries aren’t healing. The most important thing you can do for yourself, or a loved one who takes OTC pain medication, is to get your spine checked.

Change your life for the better and visit a Chiropractor!

Tagged: Aspirin, chiropractic care, Conditions and Diseases, Health, Medicine, Pain, Pain management

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Quick Reference

1. Exercise Regularly—This does not mean anything overly strenuous. Something as simple as a daily walk can make a huge impact on your health.

2. Eat a Healthy Diet—Proper nutrients allow the body to repair itself easier. Eat organic, unrefined foods and drink at least eight glasses of pure water every day. Avoid drugs, whether recreational or prescribed, including alcohol and caffeine.

3. Maintain Good Posture—Are you sitting up straight as you read this?

4. Sleep on Your Back or Side, Never Your Stomach—Avoid sleeping on your stomach, it twists your neck; avoid the fetal position, it reverses your spinal curves.

5. Invest in a Good Chair, Pillow and Mattress—When you think about the amount of time you use these things each day, it’s worth it.

6. Stretch Your Spine Before and After Sports—This will also help to loosen up the surrounding muscles.

7. Stretch Your Legs and Back After Each Hour of Sitting—whether in a car or at a desk, stretching regularly will help to keep you from tightening up or injuring yourself further.

8. Never cradle the phone between your neck and shoulder.

9. Do Not Overload Your Backpack, Purse or Wallet. Remember to carry it over both shoulders to balance the load (if possible). Keep your wallet out of your back pocket when sitting, especially when driving.

10. Remember To Visit Us Regularly—Especially if you are ill, under a lot of stress, pregnant or in an accident or trauma. Remember, it is much easier to prevent a problem than to correct one.