"Both the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) and the American College of Physicians (ACP) recommend noninvasive, non-drug approaches like acupuncture, massage, meditation, and tai chi as the first step in treating many painful conditions."
"About 15% of adults 65 and older regularly use pain relievers; however, these drugs can cause serious side effects, interact with other medications, or create dependency."
"Chronic pain can lead to isolation, which may then lead to more chronic pain. This ends up being a real cycle that is important to interrupt, according to Goertz."
Chronic pain affects one in five adults, with higher prevalence in those 65 and older, causing significant quality-of-life impacts and links to depression, anxiety, and PTSD. While many older adults accept pain from arthritis, back problems, and joint deterioration as inevitable aging, medication-based treatment carries risks including serious side effects, drug interactions, and dependency. Both the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and the American College of Physicians recommend noninvasive, non-drug approaches as initial treatment. Clinical evidence supports these alternatives' effectiveness, with many patients successfully reducing or eliminating pain medication. Group activities and classes provide additional benefits by reducing social isolation, which can perpetuate chronic pain cycles.
Read at Fortune
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