Pain Rx

Ohio’s new approach to treating short-term pain: Avoid opioids if possible

New guidelines call for physicians to use nonopioid pain treatments, such as heat, ice, stretching and ibuprofen, whenever possible.

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New guidelines from Ohio Gov. John Kasich call for physicians to use nonopioid treatment options for patients with short-term pain unless prescription painkillers are absolutely necessary, the Associated Press reports. Patients who do need prescription painkillers should be given the minimum amount.

The new guidelines have the support of state licensing boards and medical associations. Jon Wills, the executive director of the Ohio Osteopathic Association, explained that health care professionals wanted to avoid a mandate that would require doctors to take a “one-size-fits-all” approach to treating patients with pain.

In place of opioids, physicians might recommend treatments such as ice or heat, massage, stretching, physical therapy or nonaddictive painkillers such as ibuprofen.

Since 2007, more people in Ohio have died from drug overdoses than car accidents; the article notes that the state’s current heroin epidemic was fueled by access to prescription painkillers.

To learn more, read the full article.

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