Non-Opioid Treatments For Chronic Pain
Opioids are only one of the ways to manage chronic pain and are no longer recommended as first-line treatment by many professional organizations and pain guidelines.
There are many non-opioid alternatives available to people living with chronic pain. Your health-care provider can help you explore the options available to treat your particular type of pain. These non-opioid options to manage chronic pain may include:
- Non-opioid pain medications such as acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs like ibuprofen), SNRIs, topical agents (like diclofenac and lidocaine) and others
- Physical therapies - exercise, massage, acupuncture, yoga, electronic devices, and physical therapy
- Psychological therapies - CBT, counselling or therapy, mindfulness, deep breathing
- Self-management techniques (that can be learned online or with guidance from practitioners) - improved sleep habits, healthy lifestyle, reduced substance use like alcohol, tobacco, and others
