Common Pain Medications & How They Help Manage Pain

Pain management often involves a combination of medications, physiotherapy, and lifestyle modifications. Different types of pain require different treatment approaches, and medications can play an important role in reducing discomfort and improving function. Below, we explore some of the most commonly used pain medications, their benefits, and how they fit into a comprehensive pain management plan.

1. Paracetamol

What It Is:
Paracetamol is a widely used pain reliever that helps with mild to moderate pain and fever. It is commonly recommended for headaches, osteoarthritis, and musculoskeletal pain.

How It Works:
Paracetamol reduces pain but does not reduce inflammation. It is often combined with other medications for stronger pain relief.

Potential Side Effects:
✅ Generally well-tolerated when taken at the correct dosage
⚠️ High doses can cause liver damage, especially with alcohol use

How Physiotherapy Can Help:
Paracetamol can help manage pain so you can move more comfortably, allowing for gentle exercise, manual therapy, and rehabilitation programs to be more effective.

2. NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

Common Types:
🔹 Ibuprofen (Nurofen)
🔹 Naproxen
🔹 Diclofenac (Voltaren)
🔹 Celecoxib (Celebrex)

What They Are Used For:
NSAIDs help relieve pain and inflammation caused by arthritis, tendonitis, muscle injuries, and post-surgical pain.

How They Work:
NSAIDs block enzymes that cause inflammation and swelling, providing effective relief for acute and chronic pain conditions.

Potential Side Effects:
✅ Effective for inflammatory pain conditions
⚠️ Can cause stomach irritation, ulcers, kidney issues, and increased cardiovascular risk with long-term use

How Physiotherapy Can Help:
While NSAIDs reduce inflammation, they don’t address the root cause of pain. A thorough physiotherapy assessment can help identify inflammatory symptoms, while physio treatments can help manage and improve these symptoms.

3. Pregabalin (Lyrica) & Gabapentin

What They Are:
These medications are used for nerve pain (neuropathic pain) and conditions such as sciatica, diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

How They Work:
Pregabalin and gabapentin help calm overactive nerve signaling, reducing burning, tingling, or shooting pain.

Potential Side Effects:
✅ Can be effective for long-term nerve pain management
⚠️ May cause drowsiness, dizziness, weight gain, and swelling in some individuals

How Physiotherapy Can Help:
For nerve pain conditions, physiotherapy focuses on desensitising hypersensitive nerves, improving movement patterns, and preventing muscle weakness due to inactivity.

4. Opioids (e.g., Codeine, Tramadol, Oxycodone, Morphine, Fentanyl)

What They Are:
Opioids are strong painkillers used for severe acute pain (such as post-surgical pain) and cancer pain. They are not recommended for long-term chronic pain due to the risk of dependence.

How They Work:
Opioids bind to pain receptors in the brain that can reduce your pain.

Potential Side Effects:
✅ Effective for short-term severe pain
⚠️ High risk of dependence and addiction
⚠️ Can cause drowsiness, nausea, constipation, and respiratory issues

How Physiotherapy Can Help:
Opioids mask pain but do not fix the problem. Physiotherapy helps by strengthening muscles, improving mobility, and offering alternative pain relief strategies such as manual therapy, exercise, and pain education.

Why Combine Medication with Physiotherapy?

🔹 Medications can reduce pain in the short term, making movement easier.
🔹 Physiotherapy addresses the underlying causes of pain through movement, strengthening, and rehabilitation.
🔹 A combined approach leads to better long-term outcomes without reliance on medications alone.

At PhysioPM in Townsville, we believe in a holistic approach to pain management, working alongside your doctor to ensure the best treatment plan for your condition. If you're looking for safe and effective ways to reduce pain and improve function, contact us today to see how physiotherapy can help!