A recent headline caught my eye: FDA Strengthens Heart Risk Warning in Popular Pain Relievers. New research shows there is a greater risk for heart attack and stroke when taking Celebrex, Motrin, Aleve, and Advil. The long-term risk has been known for some time, but now warnings will be added about short-term use.
Many, many people take these drugs – over 30 million people daily. And there are situations where the effective control of pain by these drugs feels nothing short of miraculous.
And yet. There are proven ways to manage pain without risky side-effects. More and more, natural techniques are being taught, but they are still a small fraction of the pain relief methods that are readily available. It’s understandable. Teaching natural techniques doesn’t fall under the responsibilities of the doctor, or the nurse, or the OT, or the PT. And it’s not like there’s a patent to be had, or equipment to sell, so that a fortune can be made.
Last week I spent time at a hospital and at a rehab center teaching the Feldenkrais Method®. I worked with people who were enthusiastic about learning, and who whole-heartedly embraced managing their pain naturally. It was such a pleasure to offer a pain management technique that was fully within the patients’ control.
Natural pain relief – you can learn how to do it yourself.