Should sufferers of neck and/or back pain withdraw all medication when they begin a rehabilitation program? This question has been asked of me many times over the years, and the answer I give is an emphatic one; 'YES', and an emphatic 'NO'. Admittedly that may seem very much like a whimp's response, but actually it isn't, even though the asker of the question may genuinely be expecting a straight answer to a straight question on a subject that has already caused an avalanche of pain and grief. There is, however, some wisdom to this evasive answer, so how about we try to remain on the same side and consider a few thoughts on the issue to clear the way forward.
One of the first issues for us to consider is that when the human body is in trauma, and as a result of that trauma it has become accustomed to a daily intake of strong pain-reducing medication, then is suddenly deprived of that medication, the body invariably responds in an unfavourable manner. Part of the perplexing mystery of the subject is that different people metabolise at different rates, and in different ways, so as a consequence there will be a significant disparity in the way a withdrawal of medication is likely to be accommodated, particularly if the withdrawal is done rapidly. Medication, in the vast majority of cases, acts predominantly as a mask for pain, and so when the mask is removed, the underlying trauma remains, rendering the sufferer at considerable risk of further pain.
Without stating the obvious, the source of the pain must be addressed before the need for the mask might become redundant. Having just possibly made a superfluous and pointless remark, the point still should be made that the continuation of medication can be beneficial, at least in the short term, even when the underlying cause of the trauma has been established and removed. A controlled reduction of the intake may be necessary to allow the body to adapt to the removal of these stimuli.
Given the fact that included within the title of both my books is the phrase 'how to dramatically reduce your neck/back pain WITHOUT PILLS, equipment or $money$', a reader might conclude, at least temporarily, that I have suddenly gone soft on the issue of medication. The simple truth is that, over time, many sufferers have unwittingly become so dependent upon the medication that to withdraw its influence prematurely might prove to fall somewhere between counter-productive and catastrophic, even as previously stated when the underlying cause has been brought under control. Medication, particularly when it is used in tandem with other medication for other problems, commonly represents an exercise in calamitous unpredictability. Suffice to say, that even allowing for the undisputed goal of becoming free of prescribed or illicit medication, a policy of wholesale withdrawal of medication would be a seriously unwise course to follow.
So, what is wise? Glad you asked. A number of factors need to be considered. For example; the sufferer's intensity of pain, the duration of the pain, the sufferer's age, associated physical and other on-going demands, and the sufferer's emotional stability at the time. When considering a person who might have experienced major pain trauma over many years, coupled with a history of failed attempts to rehabilitate, and the on-going need to perform physically-demanding activities on a regular basis, a regime of temporary continuation of medication might not only be wise but appropriate.
And now for the flip side; from various parts of the world, I regularly receive testimonials from sufferers who describe in great detail their own similar circumstances, yet have personally chosen to go cold-turkey from medication with great effect. When specifically asked by purchasers of either of my books via my facility known as FLECS [Free Lifetime Email Consultation Service], I generally suggest that the most effective and responsible approach is for a sufferer to continue with prescribed medication until a sustainable pattern begins to emerge in which the degree of pain has been consistently and predictably reduced. At that point, the sufferer might choose to suspend the intake of medication on a frequency that might be one day in three, or possibly one day in two, and then monitor the response.
During the following weeks and months, a gradual withdrawal could be undertaken, monitored closely, however keeping in reserve a possible need for reinstatement of the medication should an unexpected set-back or complication occur. Over the ensuing six to twelve months, and when a sustainable and predictable pattern has emerged, the decision to curtail the reliance upon medication can then be made with a higher degree of wisdom and optimism.
It may have been a simpler thing to say, on the subject of a possible withdrawal of drug dependency, 'just hasten slowly', especially when the much sought-after goal is to permanently kick the dreaded habit of pill-popping, but please always remember that our aim is to be a long time recovered, and there in an orderly and systematic manner needed to get there. Even if we suddenly feel so intensely motivated and tempted to flush the drugs down the drain we should still 'hasten slowly,' or we risk being painfully rushed back to square one to face climbing that ever-so steep mountain one more horror-filled time. The reality is that neck and back pain can be beaten for so many sufferers right around the world, and as repulsive as the prospect might seem, especially after what you may have already gone through, some temporary use of medication just might help you get to that place of success.
About the Author:
Richard A. Convery is an expert on neck and back pain relief. Over many years he has been helping many thousands of people to alleviate their pain; shoulder neck, upper back pain and back pain lower back you can visit his back pain site at lower back pain exercise to learn more.
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