Should I take painkillers?
Painkillers can be effective in relieving acute pain, but it’s important to choose one that’s safe for you. And when it comes to chronic pain, the options are more limited. The most common forms of painkiller are:
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What’s the best pain relief for leg aches and pains?
Many people suffer with leg aches and pains, and lots of us rely on painkillers for relief. But are drugs always the best way to relieve your symptoms?
We explore the pros and cons of painkillers and look at how drug-free alternatives like the Revitive Circulation Booster can help leg aches and pains.
What’s causing my leg aches and pains?
Often, pain is acute and will pass in time - when an injury heals, for example. But when pain becomes a part of daily life, it could indicate an underlying condition such as arthritis, diabetes or peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
Chronic pain can prove difficult to treat, as painkillers can have serious side effects when taken long-term. So, it makes sense to check out drug-free alternatives if you’re looking for treatment which is entirely natural, or if you’re looking to reduce your reliance on pain killers.
- OpioidsOpioids are a highly effective at relieving severe or chronic pain. Weak opioids, such as codeine, can be bought over-the-counter, while strong opioids like morphine are available on prescription only. Opioids are controlled drugs that should be treated with caution and are not suitable for long-term use unless under medical supervision. They can result in tolerance, dependence and addiction. It is not recommended to take over-the-counter opioids for more than three days without medical advice.
- NSAIDsOral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen are effective in relieving mild to moderate pain and reducing inflammation. However, they have many potential side effects - including gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage and cardiovascular problems - and are not suitable for everyone, especially when used long-term. NSAIDs can also cause adverse reactions with other commonly prescribed medications. They should be used with caution, especially if you have an existing cardiovascular condition such as high blood pressure or are taking other prescribed medications.
- Topical NSAIDsTopical NSAIDs in the form of gels, patches, sprays or foams are applied directly to the painful area, which can make them a safer option, as levels of the drug are lower overall. However, it’s not recommended to use topical NSAIDs for longer than 14 days without medical advice.
- AspirinAlthough aspirin is technically a NSAID, it is considered a safer option for people suffering from cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure. Doctors sometimes prescribe low-dose aspirin to people at risk of heart attack or stroke, because it can help stop blood clots forming. But aspirin can have side effects including indigestion, stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding and can cause adverse reactions with widely prescribed drugs, especially at higher doses and when used long term.
- ParacetamolParacetamol is the world’s most widely used painkiller and generally considered safe. Side effects are rare, but overdoses can be dangerous and result in liver failure. Some recent studies have shown paracetamol to be no more effective than a placebo in treating some chronic pain conditions. Overall, studies suggest that paracetamol is a safer option than NSAIDs, but less effective at relieving chronic pain.
- OpioidsOpioids are a highly effective at relieving severe or chronic pain. Weak opioids, such as codeine, can be bought over-the-counter, while strong opioids like morphine are available on prescription only. Opioids are controlled drugs that should be treated with caution and are not suitable for long-term use unless under medical supervision. They can result in tolerance, dependence and addiction. It is not recommended to take over-the-counter opioids for more than three days without medical advice.
- NSAIDsOral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen are effective in relieving mild to moderate pain and reducing inflammation. However, they have many potential side effects - including gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage and cardiovascular problems - and are not suitable for everyone, especially when used long-term. NSAIDs can also cause adverse reactions with other commonly prescribed medications. They should be used with caution, especially if you have an existing cardiovascular condition such as high blood pressure or are taking other prescribed medications.
- OpioidsOpioids are a highly effective at relieving severe or chronic pain. Weak opioids, such as codeine, can be bought over-the-counter, while strong opioids like morphine are available on prescription only. Opioids are controlled drugs that should be treated with caution and are not suitable for long-term use unless under medical supervision. They can result in tolerance, dependence and addiction. It is not recommended to take over-the-counter opioids for more than three days without medical advice.
- NSAIDsOral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen are effective in relieving mild to moderate pain and reducing inflammation. However, they have many potential side effects - including gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage and cardiovascular problems - and are not suitable for everyone, especially when used long-term. NSAIDs can also cause adverse reactions with other commonly prescribed medications. They should be used with caution, especially if you have an existing cardiovascular condition such as high blood pressure or are taking other prescribed medications.
- Topical NSAIDsTopical NSAIDs in the form of gels, patches, sprays or foams are applied directly to the painful area, which can make them a safer option, as levels of the drug are lower overall. However, it’s not recommended to use topical NSAIDs for longer than 14 days without medical advice.
- AspirinAlthough aspirin is technically a NSAID, it is considered a safer option for people suffering from cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure. Doctors sometimes prescribe low-dose aspirin to people at risk of heart attack or stroke, because it can help stop blood clots forming. But aspirin can have side effects including indigestion, stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding and can cause adverse reactions with widely prescribed drugs, especially at higher doses and when used long term.
- ParacetamolParacetamol is the world’s most widely used painkiller and generally considered safe. Side effects are rare, but overdoses can be dangerous and result in liver failure. Some recent studies have shown paracetamol to be no more effective than a placebo in treating some chronic pain conditions. Overall, studies suggest that paracetamol is a safer option than NSAIDs, but less effective at relieving chronic pain.
- OpioidsOpioids are a highly effective at relieving severe or chronic pain. Weak opioids, such as codeine, can be bought over-the-counter, while strong opioids like morphine are available on prescription only. Opioids are controlled drugs that should be treated with caution and are not suitable for long-term use unless under medical supervision. They can result in tolerance, dependence and addiction. It is not recommended to take over-the-counter opioids for more than three days without medical advice.
- NSAIDsOral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen are effective in relieving mild to moderate pain and reducing inflammation. However, they have many potential side effects - including gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage and cardiovascular problems - and are not suitable for everyone, especially when used long-term. NSAIDs can also cause adverse reactions with other commonly prescribed medications. They should be used with caution, especially if you have an existing cardiovascular condition such as high blood pressure or are taking other prescribed medications.
Are there drug-free alternative ways to relieve pain?
If you live with chronic pain, it makes sense to look at drug-free relief and also lifestyle changes to manage your pain levels:
Revitive Circulation Booster:Using Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), the Revitive devices cause the calves to contract, pumping blood back the heart and lungs. This in turn drives nutrient-rich, oxygenated blood to the legs and feet, helping to bring relief from the symptoms of poor leg circulation, such as legs aches and pains, swelling and cramps.
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ExerciseEvidence shows that physical activity can reduce the severity of pain, build strength and improve quality of life. Studies have shown exercise to be helpful in pain conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, low back pain, peripheral neuropathy and pain associated with PAD.
Heat and cold therapyApplying heat or cold to affected areas can ease pain flare-ups. Apply heat pads or hot water bottles (with hot, not boiling, water) to the affected area for 10 - 15 minutes to relieve pain. Ice packs or cold compresses can reduce both pain and swelling - apply for no longer than 20 minutes at a time.
- Revitive Circulation Booster:
Using Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), the Revitive devices cause the calves to contract, pumping blood back the heart and lungs. This in turn drives nutrient-rich, oxygenated blood to the legs and feet, helping to bring relief from the symptoms of poor leg circulation, such as legs aches and pains, swelling and cramps.
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Evidence shows that physical activity can reduce the severity of pain, build strength and improve quality of life. Studies have shown exercise to be helpful in pain conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, low back pain, peripheral neuropathy and pain associated with PAD.
How does Revitive work to relieve leg pain?
Revitive devices use Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) to cause the calves to contract, pumping blood back the heart and lungs. This in turn drives nutrient-rich, oxygenated blood to the legs and feet, helping to bring relief from symptoms, such as leg aches and pain, swelling and cramps.
Once relief from these symptoms is established, the person using the device can then improve their mobility and activity levels, allowing them to return to a more active lifestyle, including standing for longer and walking further without pain. The daily use of Revitive and this increased physical activity will help to maintain the relief from these painful symptoms.
All devices in the Medic Range include features such as Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation (TENS), giving you the option of targeted relief from pain and discomfort when in use on the desired area.
Success stories:
'After three years of tests and scans to discover the cause of my lower leg pain, I was told I was suffering from peripheral neuropathy - that was the start of a long journey trying to find relief. I had a pain injection in the spine, two courses of physiotherapy, tried acupuncture and a drug used to treat nerve pain for 18 months. But nothing worked completely…
I saw an ad for Revitive Medic… Fast forward eight weeks, and the results are unbelievable. I’ve used it every day and am blown away by how much my pain has subsided. I still have the odd day when there’s a little pain, but I’ve been able to stop the medication, thanks to the progress I’ve made.'
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