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| O'Brien Pharmacy > RX Compounding > Pain Management |
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Pain Management It is well documented that, for a variety of psychological, social and moral reasons, pain is frequently under treated. However, there are natural options and less intrusive medications that can have fewer side effects than traditional therapies, and can actually augment or, in some cases, replace the more common treatments. Studies have shown that diet, exercise and nutrition can play a tremendous role in the reduction of pain. The poor food choices many Americans make based on indifference to, and ignorance of, the nutritional value of food is believed to be a fundamental basis for many chronic illnesses. Dietary education and paradigm shifts in attitudes about the materials that pass over our lips can have a profound and significant impact on neuropathy and many other conditions. Much like computers, it is good to remember "garbage in, garbage out." Even with this in mind, we must still remember that modern methods of food production leave even the best diets nutritionally deficient. Countless surveys and studies have shown multiple nutritional deficits in most Americans. For this reason, we recommend a scientifically-based supplement program for virtually everyone. In addition to diet, exercise and supplements, there are also many herbs and homeopathic remedies that can help with the pain of neuropathy and other chronic conditions. Finally, and always secondary to diet, exercise and nutrition, there are some new prescription medications that have shown a great deal of promise in chronic pain management. The medicines are creams and gels applied topically to the skin, at the sight of primary pain and discomfort, and they have several advantages. "First, do no harm," is the unspoken motto of most healthcare practitioners. The value with these topical medicines is that very little drug actually reaches the rest of the body. That is, you get the medicine in higher concentrations exactly where you want it, without giving an equal amount of medicine to areas of the body that do not need it. In so doing, it is possible to greatly reduce or eliminate the typical side effects of medications taken by mouth. This can be especially significant for patients sensitive to medications or already on several medicines with the potential for drug interactions. Remember, we are delivering more of the medication where it is actually needed. Also, since this type of prescription is custom-made in a pharmacy laboratory for a specific patient, there is a great deal of flexibility in the types and amounts of medicine that go into the cream or gel. There are multiple medications that have shown promise in treating chronic pain and neuropathy, and it is possible to use two or more at the same time. And since the medications appear to work differently, a synergistic effect results when they are used in combination. Because no treatment works for everyone, with this approach, we are able to customize the cream or gel to the one that works best for the patient. Some patients will not be candidates for this type of therapy, or will not have a positive response to any combination. However, advantages in dosing, safety and effectiveness, coupled with the ability to tailor the medicine to the patient, makes this an attractive alternative for many physicians and their patients. All of these topical treatments require a doctor's prescription, and can cost from $50.00 to $120.00 per month, depending on the ingredients. But, since they require a prescription, and few pharmacies have the laboratory, chemicals, equipment and abilities to make this medication, most insurance companies will reimburse the patient. Additional information is included about these therapies and can be discussed with your doctor to see if you could benefit. |
