Pain treatment has been utilized multiple millennia ago. Some of the written records can be found in stories such as Homers' Odyssey.
Homer wrote, "presently she cast a drug into the wine which they drink to lower all pain and anger and bring forgetfulness of every sorrow."
Opium has been written about as far back as 1500 BC in the Ebers Papyrus. Chinese and Indian trade historical notations show Opium used to treat excessive crying in children, used with Hemlock to have a painless death, and treats anxiety, depression and mood disorders.
Opioids have a long history in the United States and has been relegated by the medical industry and the FDA for years. As with any abuse of a relegated substance, problems arisen with opioid abuse has created a stigma--a barrier between doctor and patient. The culture of pain relief is associated with psychological pathology, which sometimes decreased otherwise harmonius relations between patient and physician.
Most physicians now want to "turf" their pain patients to Pain management physicians because of the clamp down from the FDA and DEA on prescription abuse.
The anti-pain med culture has spread to patients who have not experienced acute pain before, and are fearful of the side effects. To them I reassure that true pain treatment doesn't make someone addicted to pain meds. It seems those who don't have pain and use pain meds for the high, get addicted more easily.
But I have seen the vast improvement in the quality of life in an individual who suffers from chronic pain who utilizes pain meds appropriately. I have seen the relief in hundreds of pain patients. I hope doctors learn about the history of what physicians are, and what we do. What we did best was treat pain. Even in the current technological advancements of medicine, lets not forget how to treat pain.
Homer wrote, "presently she cast a drug into the wine which they drink to lower all pain and anger and bring forgetfulness of every sorrow."
Opium has been written about as far back as 1500 BC in the Ebers Papyrus. Chinese and Indian trade historical notations show Opium used to treat excessive crying in children, used with Hemlock to have a painless death, and treats anxiety, depression and mood disorders.
Opioids have a long history in the United States and has been relegated by the medical industry and the FDA for years. As with any abuse of a relegated substance, problems arisen with opioid abuse has created a stigma--a barrier between doctor and patient. The culture of pain relief is associated with psychological pathology, which sometimes decreased otherwise harmonius relations between patient and physician.
Most physicians now want to "turf" their pain patients to Pain management physicians because of the clamp down from the FDA and DEA on prescription abuse.
The anti-pain med culture has spread to patients who have not experienced acute pain before, and are fearful of the side effects. To them I reassure that true pain treatment doesn't make someone addicted to pain meds. It seems those who don't have pain and use pain meds for the high, get addicted more easily.
But I have seen the vast improvement in the quality of life in an individual who suffers from chronic pain who utilizes pain meds appropriately. I have seen the relief in hundreds of pain patients. I hope doctors learn about the history of what physicians are, and what we do. What we did best was treat pain. Even in the current technological advancements of medicine, lets not forget how to treat pain.
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