Our society encourages a "quick fix" attitude toward health. TV commercials in Fayetteville AR show someone in pain, with drugs speeding to cure the discomfort in seconds. That's not always the best way.

Information on painkillers in Fayetteville AR

The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reported that some painkillers seem to slow healing. A study of people with bone fractures found that those who took non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) took longer to heal than those who did not.

The drugs in the study include medications of the same kind as aspirin, ibuprofin, and naproxen. You may know them by the brand names Bayer, Advil, Motrin, or Aleve, among others. Researchers followed up with lab studies that confirmed that painkillers reduced the body's ability to heal tendon and ligament healing, healing of fractures, and capillary growth and repair.

The researchers concluded that the chemicals that cause pain are also involved in injury repair. Other studies have found that painkiller use increases the chance of chronic pain, and that it contributes to chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and low-back pain.

Painkillers, especially over the counter drugs taken without first seeking medical help, can mask the cause of pain and keep the root problem from being treated.

Visit Dr. Myshka to discuss any pain you're experiencing. We can identify the root cause of the problem and stop the condition that leads to the pain, rather than trying to mask the symptoms.