The negative effects of over-the-counter pain medications

This month our focus is on educating our patients on the potentially negative effects of over-the-counter pain medications, especially acetaminophen. When we have aches and pains, isn't taking Acetaminophen a very safe and good idea?  What about when our child is teething, or just after a vaccine? Should we give her Infants' Tylenol to relieve the pain? Research shows that Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol and more than 600 medications, causes toxicity, cell death and liver failure.  We have provided research in this newsletter to educate you on the potential side effects of this drug that has been marketed as "safe for the whole family".  But, our deeper message this month is to remind you that if you are having pain, seek solutions - not simply a way to mask the symptoms.  Medications don't heal, they mask symptoms, modulate symptoms, and at best, attempt to ward off future symptoms.  

Medications do not solve the imbalance that the pain is representing in the body. To heal, one must remove blockages, restore flow, and bring balance to the failing system. Chiropractic restores nerve flow, brings balance to the spine and nervous system, and ultimately allows for the body to heal itself.  Acupuncture restores balance to the body so that the organ systems are working in harmony allowing the body to heal more effectively.  Massage restores movement of the tissues and nutrition removes toxicity and restores depleted cells. All of the techniques at InnerMovement are HIGHLY effective in treating pain. Before you reach for the pain medication, pick up the phone and call our office. All of the InnerMovement staff are passionate about helping the whole family live a pain free, vibrant life! Until our next adjustment...

Yours in Health,

Dr. Heidi & The InnerMovement Wellness Team

Are OTC Pain Relievers Safe

Over The Counter Pain Relievers

Are They Effective? Are They Safe?

In a recent article on the effectiveness of common over-the-counter pain killers, pain researchers revealing some surprising and disturbing insights.

• A pain researcher at Oxford University,stated: Tylenol doesn't actually work that well for pain. To be more exact, "I can't imagine why anybody would take acetaminophen," he said. Every researcher contacted agreed with this statement.
• A 2015 study published on BMJ.com (link below) found that acetaminophen didn't seem to help most sufferers of chronic low back pain, and that it barely alleviates pain in people with osteoarthritis. As the researchers wrote, "We found that [acetaminophen] is ineffective on both pain and disability outcomes for low back pain in the immediate and short term and is not clinically superior to placebo on both pain and disability outcomes for osteoarthritis."

Most disturbing was the data provided that links Acetaminophen usage with liver toxicity and failure. Between 1998 and 2003, acetaminophen was the leading cause of acute liver failure in the US. "We always thought [acetaminophen] was safe, but there are increasing signals of accidental overdose in people who are regularly using it for chronic pain, and some liver toxicity," explained a Professor of Musculoskeletal Medicine. 

Unfortunately, there are risks associated with Aspirin and Ibuprofen usage as well. Aspirin interferes with blood coagulation. Just 1 gram of Aspirin leaves you at rick for bleeding up to 4 days after using it. And Ibuprofen puts users at risk for gastrointestinal bleeds and kidney damage. Using it in high doses also seems to raise blood pressure, and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

So what's the solution? Drug-Free pain relief solutions that work to restore balance to the body such as Chiropractic, Acupuncture and Massage.

Research:

*Efficacy and safety of Acetaminophen in the management of spinal pain and osteoarthritis of the hip or knee

*Acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure