Pain Relief – Page 3

Alternative Medicine

Is your pain being caused by a pinched nerve?

Posted on 04.5.19 |

Pins and needles. Numbness. Weakness. Pain. These symptoms in your neck, shoulder(s), arm(s), wrist(s), hand(s), buttock(s), leg(s), or foot/feet could indicate a pinched nerve. The onset can be quick or progressive, over many years. Left to worsen, the pain could become chronic, even debilitating.Read More >

Try Chiropractic Care Before Spinal Injections

Posted on 03.22.19 |

woman in exercise clothes experiencing back pain against solid gray backdrop

Back pain can be debilitating. When discomfort begins to interfere with your quality of life, it’s time to consider your treatment options. Spinal injections are one of the most common solutions for chronic back pain. Unfortunately, they only mask the problem, and do not address the root cause of discomfort. Here, Dr. Cody Doyle – your chiropractor in Roanoke, TX – explains why we recommend trying chiropractic care before receiving spinal injections.Read More >

How does acupuncture work?

Posted on 03.15.19 |

woman wondering if she should try acupuncture

Instead of a long diatribe on the scientific evidence and impressive statistics on acupuncture, I want to talk about acupuncture as a patient. I’ve been Dr. Doyle’s patient for a few years, and through him, a combination of acupuncture and chiropractic care has alleviated pain, triggered healing in my digestive system, and helped me manage systemic inflammation. I’d like to share a typical acupuncture appointment with you.Read More >

20% of Americans Suffer from Chronic Pain – It’s Time to Find Relief

Posted on 03.5.19 |

chronic pain in back depicted with spine and barbed wire

People who feel good take a lot for granted. Approximately 50 million US adults experience chronic pain, which is pain that lasts more than three months. The pain can be nagging, mild, or more severe. In 2016, a report by the National Health Institute found that 20% of chronic pain patients endure high impact chronic pain (HICP). With HICP, a person cannot perform daily activities without experiencing pain, so quality of life is significantly impaired.

The National Institute of Health estimates that 83% of HICP patients cannot work, and they have much higher health costs than the average person. On medical care, programs, and lost production, about $560 billion is lost annually in our country because of chronic pain.

For people with HICP, simple activities, like doing the laundry, shopping at the mall, gardening, cooking, or even going out to eat may be painful. This same population is prone to a higher incidence of anxiety, depression, cognitive challenges, and fatigue.

Who wants to go shopping when you’re depressed, foggy-headed, tired, and hurting?

Treatment Options for Chronic Pain

Chronic pain can be related to an injury, a health condition, or an unknown source. Treatment may include any combination of the following.

Taking pressure off damaged joints, including those of the spine, can help reduce pain in some situations. Pressure reduction can include weight loss and/or lightened activity.
Exercise can strengthen muscles and release positive hormones that help us feel better. Regular exercise for at least 30 minutes, 3-7 times per week is the best practice. For low impact, try water aerobics, yoga, or Tai Chi.
A doctor may suggest over-the-counter analgesics like aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen, acetaminophen, ibuprofen. Using NSAIDs long-term can create complications in the digestive system, as well as kidney and heart problems.
Heat and cold therapy are effective for some patients.
Medications known as topical analgesics, including brands such as Aspercreme, Tiger Balm, and Icy Hot, can provide temporary relief in the area of pain, for some patients.
A personal TENS unit, properly used, may temporarily reduce or alleviate pain.
For the spine, traction may help reduce pain. Some chiropractors and physicians offer this treatment in- office.
Physical therapy remains an extremely common recommendation by doctors for patients with chronic pain. Improving range of motion and strengthening the core will redistribute some of the weight put on the spine. A PT may also recommend stretching exercises to practice at home, ice and heat therapy, or massage.
If these treatments are not effective, a pain management doctor may prescribe a narcotic, such an opioid, for short-term use. These include hydrocodone, codeine, oxycodone, and morphine. They are highly addictive and tolerance can build up, making the patient require a higher dosage to maintain similar results. Opioid addiction is a serious problem in the United States, so consider alternatives if possible.
The doctor may add an anticonvulsant, like gabapentin, to your medications to treat radicular pain.
Antidepressants like serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors can help relieve some cases of chronic pain in the back.
A muscle relaxant can resolve muscle spasms related to an area of pain, such as muscles that surround a degenerative disc.
Steroid injections are often suggested, orally for 7-10 days or by injection at the site of the pain source. These offer temporary relief, ranging from weeks to months, depending upon the patient.
Acupuncture targets meridians in the body, found along the nerve pathways. The practice is usually comfortable, and it stimulates blood flow while also signaling the release of endorphins.
Chiropractic therapy involves skeletal manipulation to bring balance back to the underlying support of the body. Oftentimes, a chiropractor can effectively relieve a patient’s pain, without using narcotics.

Non-Invasive, Effective HICP Treatment with Chiropractic Acupuncture

At Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Roanoke, near Trophy Club and Justin, Dr. Cody Doyle is a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine. He’s also a certified acupuncturist. Throughout his career, Dr. Doyle has researched treatments for chronic pain. He offers treatment in the evolving field of chiropractic acupuncture. In some cases, acupuncture with chiropractic and herbal medicine yield outstanding results for chronic pain. Other patients respond best to chiropractic spinal manipulation and a regimen of home exercises.

Some patients use traditional medicine while undergoing treatment with Dr. Doyle, in an effort to find an alternative treatment that will not involve medications. Because all medications have side effects, and some build up in the body to cause issues over time, seeking alternative treatment for chronic pain is wise and practical.

TESTIMONIAL

“My pain management doctor recommended spinal and AI joint injections for my leg pain. Before undergoing the procedure, and because I knew that any relief the cortisone provided would be short-lived, I opted to visit Dr. Doyle. He has my chiropractor and acupuncturist for a few years, for other issues. This is hard to believe, but In one visit – just one visit! – my leg pain was relieved. Praise God and thanks to Dr. Doyle. I literally hobbled into the office in pain and walked out, after chiropractic and acupuncture appointment.”
– Shauna Duty, Roanoke, Tx

Your insurance company may reimburse for part or all of your chiropractic and acupuncture treatment at Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture. However, Dr. Doyle keeps his fees affordable so that pain management care is accessible. If you suffer from daily pain, call 817-767-5430 or email us today for a consultation.

Put a Name to Your Head Pain: 4 Common Types of Headaches

Posted on 02.27.19 |

Oh, the dreaded headache: this annoying and sometimes debilitating condition can mean lost productivity, irritability, and a host of other side effects in addition to head pain. “Headache” is a catch-all term, since you’ve probably had lots of different types of headaches, each feeling a little different, or coming on at different times, for different reasons. Today, we’re exploring the four most common types of Roanoke, TX headaches, and how chiropractic care and alternative therapy from Dr. Cody Doyle can help chronic headache sufferers.

If you experience frequent headaches that cause you to put your daily life on hold, know that chiropractic care can help alleviate many underlying causes of headaches. Dr. Cody Doyle provides a drug-free, nonsurgical approach to achieving total wellness for Roanoke, TX patients who suffer from headaches and other conditions. To discover the benefits of chiropractic care, contact our office today at 817-767-5430.

Tension Headaches

More than likely, you’ve experienced a tension headache at least once; it’s the most common headache complaint for American adults. While the side effects generally do not prevent you from completing normal daily activities, symptoms can still be painful and annoying. Many patients report feeling a dull ache on one or both sides of the head and/or behind the eyes. Sometimes, tension headaches are described as a band around the head which tightens or pulses with pain. These headaches’ lifespans vary greatly: they usually last anywhere from a few minutes to even several days. Common triggers include:

Hunger
Lack of sleep
Poor posture
Stress
Injury or misalignment in the neck, back, or shoulders

Cluster Headaches

As the name implies, this headache occurs with short episodes of pain, usually on just one side of the head. Unusually, it can be followed by allergy or cold symptoms like watery eyes, runny nose, or congestion in the sinuses. Cluster headaches often are as painful as migraines, but do not last as long. Usually, sufferers go long periods of time before experiencing these headaches. Doctors aren’t sure exactly what causes cluster headaches, but one theory suggests that abnormalities with the body’s hypothalamus (or the “biological clock”) could be to blame.

Sinus Headaches

Sinus pressure, as the result of a cold or allergies, can lead to an increase in pressure throughout the face and head. This pressure is accompanied by facial swelling, runny nose, and congestion, and pain is usually localized around the sinuses and eye area. Depending on the severity of the cold, sinus infection, or allergies, symptoms can for days or weeks.

Migraine Headaches

If you suffer from migraines, or know someone who does, you know that these types of headaches can be extremely debilitating, causing a host of secondary side effects in addition to head pain. These can include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise. Sometimes, patients experience flashes of light in the peripheral vision (called an ocular migraine) before a migraine sets in. Migraines are well known for occurring frequently, usually multiple times a month. Triggers are different for each patient, but can include:

Lack of sleep
Stress
Poor nutrition
Hormone imbalance
Environmental factors, such as lighting, strong smells, or sounds

Chiropractic Care for Headaches in Roanoke, TX

Dr. Doyle offers holistic health treatments to treat underlying biological issues that can contribute to headaches. As vertebrae shift out of place, it can tighten surrounding muscles and affect the blood flow in the major arteries of the neck. When these major arteries are restricted, it inhibits continuous blood flow from the spinal cord to the brain, resulting in chronic or acute headaches. Therefore, regular chiropractic adjustments and alternative therapies such as acupuncture can help to maintain even oxygen flow and relieve tension. In addition, Dr. Doyle may offer tips for improving posture, managing stress, and other ways to reduce your headaches.

Ready to schedule your appointment? Contact us today! We look forward to seeing you soon.

Degenerative Disk Disease–Can a Chiropractor Help?

Posted on 02.11.19 |

You awaken with a slight backache that is unresponsive to medications, heating pads, Epsom salt baths, or other remedies. You have run out of options and have decided that the problem may be bigger than you thought.

Knowing you have degenerative disc disease, you scour the internet for help. Surprisingly, you find out many people with your symptoms get help from a chiropractor.

Today, Dr. Cody Doyle explores several aspects of this painful condition. We will also discuss how we can help reduce or eliminate your symptoms at our Roanoke, TX practice.

What is Degenerative Disk Disease?

Degenerative disk disease (DDD) involves damage to the spinal discs between the vertebrae, which results in pain. The pain usually occurs in the cervical spine, lumbar spine, or mid-back, and may radiate down the arms or legs.

Consider thinking of your spinal disks like the shock absorbers on a car. Your spinal disks have the job of buffering any impact your body may encounter. With repeated impacts, the disks get less effective at absorbing the shocks.

Eventually, those disks may not work well in absorbing the impacts your body encounters. Over time, this wear and tear causes more damage, leading to DDD.

What Are the Causes and Effects of Disk Disease?

The causes and effects of disc degeneration are intertwined into the aging process and can become a long term issue.

As your body matures, your structure changes, including bones, joints, and disks. You may begin to develop pain in areas that were once pain-free.

DDD begins with your intervertebral discs changing, which also affects your mobility. You may also notice differences in your spine and joints.

Things you used to do easily now leave you with pain because of your damaged discs. Sometimes, it can progress to a herniated disc.

Several factors can cause your disks to deteriorate. Some of the most common include:

Condition of the disc: As we age, our disks lose water, causing them to dry out and shrink. Therefore, they cannot absorb the shocks that occur with impacts on our bodies as well as they used to.
Your daily activity level: Exercise, sports, and other physical activities may exacerbate any symptoms.
Accidents and injuries: Trauma can cause pain, weakness, and swelling. You may even notice “pops and cracks” down your spine when you get out of bed and as you attempt to walk or bend over.

What are the Symptoms?

DDD has an array of symptoms with some of the most common being:

Numbness and “tingling” sensations in your limbs
Tolerable pain that escalates into unbearable agony
Pain that worsens when you bend over, walk, sit, or even standstill
Pain that reaches down to your lumbar spine, buttocks, and thighs
“Shooting” pain or pain that spikes without warning

What Does A Diagnosis of Disk Disease Include?

A diagnosis of DDD may include:

A thorough examination of your back and body, including X-rays and other digital imaging
A review of your medical history
Description of the symptoms you are having

How Can Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture Help Me?

At Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture, we understand that pain is uncomfortable, debilitating, and for many, depressing. Waking up every day to lower back pain, or “tingling” sensations in the arms and legs is not productive.

Our caring team provides comprehensive care to address your symptoms.

Dr. Cody Doyle has over two decades of experience in treating pain with numerous alternative medicine options. He has the knowledge, experience, and compassion you are looking for. We can provide you with an effective treatment plan that is customized for you and your unique needs.

Dr. Doyle’s back and neck pain treatments consist of:

Chiropractic care
Acupuncture
Massage therapy
Education and information
Physical therapy

Contact Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture Today

You deserve a pain-free life, and Dr. Doyle will work to ensure you have one. During a consultation, he can discuss treatment options, which may include some of the most innovative approaches to alternative medicine. Contact Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture online, or by dialing 817-767-5430.

4 Common Causes of Arm Pain

Posted on 01.16.19 |

Achy elbows, tight wrists, and skin irritations are just a few of a maladies that can get in the way of your tennis swing and day-to-day activities. Many of the causes of arm pain have treatment options available at Dr. Cody Doyle’s chiropractic care office in Roanoke, TX. To schedule an exploratory exam, contact Dr. Doyle at (817) 767-5430.

Common Causes of Arm Pain and Recommended Treatments

Arthritis

Arthritis, characterized by inflammation of the joints, afflicts tens of millions of Americans. The autoimmune disease commonly falls into two categories: degenerative and inflammatory. Degenerative arthritis, sometimes referred to as osteoarthritis, affects over 25 million Americans. The chronic joint condition is often associated with aging and can lead to pain, swelling, and stiffness in shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers. Inflammatory arthritis, also known as rheumatoid arthritis, is commonly associated with other forms of diseases, such as lupus and psoriatic arthritis, and can be debilitating in its advanced states.

Both forms of arthritis, while not curable, can be managed with medication and holistic methods like chiropractic care and acupuncture.

An article published by the Arthritis Foundation described the potential benefits of acupuncture for treating arthritis. In fact, over 50 percent of patients with osteoarthritis enjoy some benefit from acupuncture treatments. Best of all, there are no harmful side effects to acupuncture, unlike prescription pain medication.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Are you experiencing throbbing pain, tingling sensations, skin sensitivity, or other forms of pain?

The discomfort may be the result of peripheral neuropathy, a condition that affects the nervous systems of over 20 million people in the United States. The condition disrupts communication from the peripheral nerves to the central nervous system and to the rest of the body.

Dr. Doyle has over 20 years of experience reducing the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. The pain may be the result of nutrient deficiencies or toxins. Detoxification may be one treatment option. Other remedies, depending on your diagnosis, may include premodulated muscle stimulation (strategic electrical stimulation), chiropractic care, ultrasound, or acupuncture. The staff at Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture will monitor your progress and recommend follow-up procedures as needed.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis, or the inflammation of a tendon, can cause severe discomfort and pain as well as limiting arm movement. Tendinitis may be the result of an injury or repetition of a specific movement. Hence, many forms of tendinitis are euphemistically called “tennis elbow” or “pitcher’s shoulder.” The ailment can often be cured with physical therapy, pain treatments, and avoidance of repetitive movements. Dr. Doyle will be glad to diagnose and offer treatment options for this form of injury.

Misaligned Vertebrae

Bulging disks, misaligned vertebrae, and other causes of disk-related pain can cause a wide range of symptoms, including pain in the outer extremities. Fortunately, there are several treatment options for people suffering from spinal injuries.

The common spinal manipulation methods performed at Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture include: diversified method (hand-applied pressure), activator method (mechanical manipulation using handheld device), Thompson method (manual thrusts with drop table technique), and Gonstead Method (similar to diversified but using a variety of tables, positions, and manual thrusts).

Contact a Local Chiropractor in Roanoke, TX

Dr. Doyle has more than 20 years of experience diagnosing and treating arm pain. To schedule an exploratory exam, contact Dr. Doyle at (817) 767-5430 or visit our website to set up an initial appointment.

Spotting the Signs of Degenerative Disc Disease

Posted on 11.30.18 |

The human spine contains 23 spinal discs. These ligaments provide cushioning for the spine’s boney vertebrae and keep the back aligned and flexible. Often, when patients complain of a painful, sore, or aching back, issues with spinal discs are to blame. Degenerative disc disease refers to the condition when damaged or aging spinal discs cause pain or discomfort.

If you are experiencing back, neck or shoulder pain, schedule a consultation with Dr. Doyle. At Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture, we offer a range of treatments that can help alleviate painful symptoms naturally. Call our Roanoke office at 817-767-5430 and take the first step in reducing back pain today!

Causes of Degenerative Disc Disease

As you age, it’s normal for cushiony, water-filled spinal discs to begin drying out and flattening. This means less shock absorption between each of your vertebrae. Sometimes, the outer wall of a spinal disc can crack, causing a herniated disc. Other times, a spinal disc will shift out of place. All these problems can cause degenerative disc disease symptoms. While age is usually the top cause for degenerative disc disease, other causes can include obesity, lack of exercise, injury, or repetitive physical activity.

Several symptoms can alert you to whether your back pain could be associated with degenerative disc disease:

Pain Intensifies When Sitting

When seated, spinal discs in the lower back have up to three times more pressure on them than when standing. With degenerative disc disease, back pain is usually alleviated or reduced when walking or moving positions, because of the immediate pressure release that happens when a patient stands.

Greater Discomfort When Twisting the Back, Bending Over or Lifting Heavy Objects

Your spinal discs are layered between bony vertebrae, so when you twist or bend, damaged discs cannot absorb the shock or pressure from vertebrae as effectively. Lifting heavy objects puts additional strain on your back muscles and spine, and can pinch vertebrae closer together.

Dull to Debilitating Pain that Comes and Goes

Degenerative disc disease is characterized by waves of pain. The pain period may last days or weeks, and can vary in intensity throughout.

Pain Concentrated in the Lower Back, Upper Thighs or Buttocks

The lower spine becomes compacted with long periods of sitting, and usually endures the most amount of pressure during day-to-day activities. However, pain can be located in the neck, depending where the problem disc is located. In that case, pain or numbness will radiate to shoulders and arms.

Numbness, Tingling or Weakness in Back or Extremities.

Sensations of tingling or numb arms or legs, or a feeling of weakness in the area around the spine are symptoms of a pinched nerve. Pinched nerves can occur when herniated or out of place discs put pressure on surrounding nerves.

Relief with Chiropractic Care

Dr. Doyle can help relieve many of the symptoms associated with degenerative disc disease. He can determine whether your symptoms are coming from aging, herniated, or shifted discs that are blocking the spine’s natural mechanics or pressing on spinal nerves. Dr. Doyle will examine your range of motion, noting when movements are uncomfortable, and examine for evidence of inflammation or injury. If degenerative disc disease is causing your pain, Dr. Doyle could use a combination of treatments, including chiropractic adjustments or myofascial release therapy to align your spine and increase circulation to help reduce painful symptoms.

Schedule a Consultation

Don’t settle for back pain becoming a normal part of your life. Call Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Roanoke, TX and let us help you start feeling better in just one office visit! Call us at 817-767-5430.

Could you have a pinched nerve?

Posted on 11.13.18 |

Your body contains billions of nerve cells, called neurons. They’re constantly sending messages to your brain through electrical signals carried by the vast nervous system network. With so many neurons in your body, it’s no surprise that occasional nerve pain and discomfort can occur with daily activities. Long hours sitting at your desk, starting a new exercise routine, or sleeping in an uncomfortable position can all lead to pressure on your nerves. In some cases, pain is caused by a pinched nerve, an uncomfortable condition that can sometimes be treated with chiropractic care.

If you suffer from pinched nerve symptoms, schedule an appointment at Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture. Dr. Doyle offers a range of treatments that help a body heal naturally. Contact our Roanoke office at 817-767-5430 to schedule your next appointment.

What is a pinched nerve?

Nerves are surrounded by muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and bones. If these tissues expand and move out of their proper alignment in the body, they can put pressure on nearby nerves. Tight muscles, inflammation, bony spurs, and displaced cartilage or spinal discs can all cause this pinching effect. Nerves respond by sending distress signals to the brain. Your brain can interpret this signal in different ways, but patients may feel:

Weak or tired muscles
Pain or discomfort that radiates outward
Tingling sensations, sometimes described as “pins and needles”
Muscle aches

Nerve pinching often happens in places where bones or ligaments closely surround nerves. The type of discomfort felt varies, depending on the nerve’s location. If located in your upper spine, a pinched nerve could lead to headaches, a dull ache in your neck and shoulders, or reduced mobility when turning your head. In the lower spine, pinched nerves often come from herniated or misaligned spinal discs. This can lead to sciatica, a condition characterized by lower back pain, hip pain, and tingling sensations radiating down one or both legs.

How can a chiropractor help me feel better?

While pinched nerve pain can dissipate with rest, you don’t have to live with the discomfort. Chiropractic may help you find faster relief from symptoms.

Chiropractic Adjustments: Dr. Doyle will examine the affected area and assess for any spinal misalignment. By re-aligning your spine through controlled chiropractic adjustments, Dr. Doyle can help alleviate pressure on nerves and improve circulation.

Home Exercise Programs: Simple, at-home stretches and exercises strengthen weak muscles and loosen tight muscles that cause undue pressure on nerves. Stronger, more agile muscles are less likely to allow pinched nerves in the future.

Premodulated Muscle Stimulation: This treatment mimics your nerves’ electrical signals and may reduce the affected area’s aches or soreness. Dr. Doyle applies small electrodes around the affected site to pass safe electrical currents through the skin and into deep muscle tissues. The electrical impulses improve circulation in the affected area and may quicken your body’s natural healing process.

Myofascial Release Therapy: To improve the affected area’s blood flow and range of motion, Dr. Doyle offers hands-on treatment to manipulate the connective tissues surrounding muscle. Effective massage and stretching techniques provide pain relief associated with tired or tight muscles.

If radiating aches and pains or tingling sensations from a pinched nerve are affecting your quality of life, schedule an appointment with Dr. Doyle. He helps patients just like you, in the Roanoke and Trophy Club area, regain mobility with comprehensive acupuncture, chiropractic, and complementary treatments. Contact us now at 817-767-5430.

Looking for an alternative to NSAIDs and opioids for pain management?

Posted on 10.20.18 |

If you’ve gone to your general practitioner or pain management doctor seeking relief from chronic pain, you’ve probably been told to take NSAIDS, acetaminophen, or opioids. All of these drugs come with potentially serious negative side effects, particularly if they’re taken long-term or outside of how they are prescribed. If you struggle with pain and are concerned about how NSAIDS and opioids could negatively affect your health, you do have alternatives. Dr. Cody Doyle of Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Roanoke, Tx offers holistic pain management options to relieve a wide range of pain, including chronic pain.

Learn how acupuncture can help with chronic pain relief.

Learn how chiropractic can help with chronic pain relief.

Why should you consider holistic pain management treatment? Because pharmaceutical treatments pose many risks. Let’s explore the side effects of NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and opiates.

NSAIDs

Called “n-seds,” NSAIDs stands for non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. They help control moderate pain and inflammation. NSAIDs include:

Aspirin
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
Naproxin (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn)
Celecoxib (Celebrex)
Diclofenac
Etodolac
Indometacin
Ketoprofen
Ketrolac
Nabumetone
Oxaprozin
Piroxicam
Salsalate
Sulindac
Tolmetin

The most common side effects of NSAIDs are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and other gastrointestinal issues, as well as drowsiness and dizziness. They can also cause fluid retention, decrease in appetite, rash, and headache. However, chronic use of these medications can lead to kidney and liver failure, ulcers, and increased bleeding with injury or surgery. Some people are allergic to NSAIDS, and allergic reaction generally involves shortness of breath or other breathing problems. Asthmatics are at higher risk for an NSAID allergy.

Oddly, kids given aspirin for the flu or chicken pox may develop Reye’s syndrome, a liver disease that can be fatal.

Elderly patients face an increased risk for heart attack and stroke with all NSAIDs, except low-dose aspirin. People who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery should not take NSAIDs; they can cause complications.

Acetaminophen

While acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not an NSAID, it does have the potential to cause negative side effects, particularly in the liver. People who consume a higher-than-average amount of alcohol should steer clear of acetaminophen, as well. The FDA suggests 325 mg or less per pill/capsule, which is what regular-strength Tylenol contains. Extra-strength Tylenol has 500 mg. The normal daily dosage is up to eight extra-strength Tylenol, which is 4 grams of acetaminophen.

Note that a regimen alternating NSAIDs and acetaminophen is often suggested, for lower dosage with similar pain relief results.

Opiates and Opioids (Narcotics)

Opioids are strong pain killers that alter the brain’s understanding of pain by depressing the central nervous system, thus immediately relieving discomfort. Opioids may be prescribed to control a cough, treat diarrhea, or even to help a person overcome addiction to narcotics. When used for pain relief, opioids are sometimes referred to as analgesic narcotics.

One of Dr. Doyle’s patients reports: “I was prescribed a bottle of 150 hydrocodone pills to control gall bladder pain until I could undergo surgery. I had an insurance situation that forced me to put the surgery on hold. The opiates controlled the pain, but I was a zombie under the influence of hydrocodone. I could not work or function. After my surgery, I had some complications that caused chronic pain and was prescribed more hydrocodone, then later, tramadol and Tylenol 3, which has codeine. Each drug had side effects that exacerbated other symptoms. Dr. Doyle helped me address the underlying issues that caused my pain: leaky gut syndrome, chronic constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome. Most doctors don’t believe in the science behind leaky gut syndrome, and there was no pharmaceutical treatment for IBS that worked on me. It took me a year to find Dr. Doyle after my surgery – and all that time I was on opioids. With them, the pain was debilitating. Also with them, I was a zombie. As a small business owner, my entire life was negatively affected. With Dr. Doyle’s treatment and time, now I no longer needed pain medications. I believe that if I had not turned to acupuncture and Dr. Doyle’s holistic methods, I’d still be on opiates and NSAIDs. Instead, I’m productive and healthy!” – Shauna Duty, Roanoke, Tx

Opiates are drugs made from opium in poppy plants. Opioids are synthetic or semi-synthetic drugs that bind to opioid receptors in the brain. Today, the term “opioid” is used for both natural and synthetic opioids. These drugs include:

Morphine
Heroin (semi-synthetic)
Codeine
Oxycodone
Oxycontin (semi-synthetic)
Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone
Tramadol
Oxycontin
Fentanyl
Methadone

Tramadol, oxycontin, and fentanyl are synthetic opioids. These can be stronger than natural opiates. For example, fentanyl is 50 times stronger than morphine. A derivation of fentanyl, carfentanil, is 100 times stronger than fentanyl.

Opioid Addiction

Often, people in chronic pain become addicted to opioids for relief. A mental addiction develops. Seeking comfort, they increase the dosage without a doctor’s approval can lead to serious physical and psychological issues. Prescription opioids are often sold on the street, illegally.

The problem is, as a central nervous system depressant, opioids can stop a person’s heart, causing death. They also alter the heart, lungs, brain, and many other vital organs. Even first-time illegal use can cause immediate death, coma, or an erratic heartbeat.

Death caused by overdose of opioids gas surpassed the height of deaths by gun violence (1993) and auto accidents (1972). In 2016, over 63 thousand people died from overdose; two-thirds from opioid overdose. Today, drug overdose is the primary cause of accidental death in our country.

Though Texas is on the low end of states where opioid overdoses occur, our numbers are on the rise – even in Tarrant and Dallas counties. Of the top 25 American cities with the highest opioid overdose fatality rate, four are in Texas.

People who are abusing opioids often show symptoms like sleeping too much or not being able to sleep. They may suffer with anxiety, depression, and mood swings. When battling opioid addiction, withdrawals will occur. If a person is fighting addition to more than opioids (additional drugs or alcohol), serious health risks can occur. A medical professional can help create a plan, with medications to help an addict successfully overcome withdrawal.

Resource: Addiction and Recovery Help

Chronic Pain Treatment without Drugs

Dr. Doyle has studied chiropractic and acupuncture treatments that help relieve pain, without the use of medications. He addresses the underlying causes of pain with skeletal manipulation, via chiropractic treatment, and stimulation of the musculoskeletal and nervous system, with acupuncture.

These drug-free pain management treatments can relieve many issues, including but not limited to:

Neck and back pain
Migraines and headaches
Muscle spasms
Joint pain
Arthritis symptoms
Menstrual cramps
Shoulder, arm, elbow, and hand pain
Hip, leg, knee, and foot pain
TMJ pain
Digestive symptoms
Stress and anxiety (often caused by pain)

To schedule an initial appointment with Dr. Doyle, call our Roanoke, Tx office at 817-767-5430. We are accepting new patients and will be happy to file your insurance or help you with the paperwork necessary for claims. Before turning to a potentially harmful and addictive drug for chronic pain relief, talk with Dr. Doyle.