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Pain
Drug-free solutions for pain
- By Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
Worried about drug dependency for managing persistent or recurring symptoms? These strategies offer a natural alternative.
Everyone has the occasional ache, pain, or soreness in a muscle or joint. A dose of over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as naproxen (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Advil), often does the trick. But what if you battle recurring discomfort in your back, shoulders, knees, or hands that interferes with your quality of life? You might require extra doses or even a more powerful prescription pain reliever.
Unfortunately, relying on pain pills can come with its own problems. "There’s no free lunch with pain drugs, whether over-the-counter or prescription. There’s always some potential downside," says Robert Jamison, a clinical psychologist and professor at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Pain Management Center.
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About the Author
Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
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No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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