Pain Myths - True or False

They say that many of the beliefs about pain and pain relief are actually false ! 'No pain, no gain', is a classic example of this myth that is said amongst atheletes but in actual fact there is no evidence to support the actual notion that you can build strenght by pushing your muscles to work to the point of actual pain. However, resting and letting your muscles repair, although porbably not very macho, is the sensible thing to do. Another common one 'it's all in my head', but pain is a complex problem, involving both the mind and the body. Pain is an invisible problem that others can't see, but that doesn't mean it's all in your head. There are many options for pain relief. They include relaxation techniques, exercise, physical therapy, over-the-counter and prescription medicines, surgery and complementary treatments such as acupuncture and massage. It may not always be possible to completely control your pain, but there are many techniques which can help you manage it better. So, the myth that 'you just have to live with the pain', is also just not true. One classic myth is the 'I'll get addicted to the pain relief medicine'. However, GP's start your pain relief with a conservative approach by prescribing non-opioid pain-relief medicines which are in no way addictive. GP's may need to prescribe opioids, such as codeine and morphine, if pain becomes severe. Many people fear that they will become addicted to opioids. Physical dependence is not the same thing as addiction. And, physical dependence isn't a problem as long as you do not stop taking the opioids suddenly. Addiction is rarely a problem, unless you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction.