Everyone’s pain is individual, so each person’s pain management should be, too. If you haven’t found what works for you yet, don’t give up. Talk with your doctor about what other remedies are out there, remembering that you may do best with a combination of strategies—not just one. Here, 14 of the many options available. MORE: Millions Of Americans Are In Pain Every Day. Are You? NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) Effect: Reduce Inflammation Examples:
AspirinIbuprofen
Acetaminophen Effect: Believed to raise pain threshold (the point at which you feel pain) Examples:
Tylenol
Opiates Effect: Block pain signals before they reach the brain Examples:
MorphineCodeine
Antidepressants Effect: May increase spinal cord neurotransmitters that reduce pain signals Examples:
ImipramineCymbalta
Corticosteroids Effect: Combat inflammation Examples:
DexamethasonePrednisone
MORE: 6 Tricks To Fight Inflammation GABA agonists Effect: Interfere with a molecule involved in pain perception Examples:
LyricaGabapentin
Exercise Effect: Raises pain threshold, improves mood, and relieves stress Examples:
WalkingTai chi
MORE: 5 Best Workouts For Chronic Pain Physical therapy Effect: Promotes healing and proper body functioning, which can reduce pain Examples:
Stretching exercisesUltrasound
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) Effect: Sends electrical signals that can help scramble the body’s perception of pain Examples:
BodyMed
Acupuncture Effect: Seems to alter the body’s perception of pain signals Examples:
MoxibustionCupping (Learn more about this remedy with What Cupping Can Do For You.)
CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) Effect: Changes negative thoughts and behaviors to alter perception of pain and improve coping skills MORE: How To Manage Pain Without Medication Chiropractic Effect: Thought to reduce inflammation by positioning the vertebrae correctly Examples:
Spinal adjustment/manipulation
Local anesthesia Effect: Involves an x-ray-guided injection into the spine to calm nerves that are contributing to the pain Examples:
Epidural
Nerve treatments Effect: Work directly on a specific nerve to desensitize it for months to a year Examples:
CryoneurolysisRadiofrequency ablationNerve blocks
MORE: New And Improved Ways To Beat Pain