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A recent study found that between a third and half the population of the UK, around 28 million adults, are living with persistent pain. But we know most medicines for long-term pain, only benefit around 1 in 4 people and on average only provide a 30% reduction in pain.

Living with and managing persistent pain, every, single day can be exhausting. Unfortunately, there simply isn’t a medication that will remove all pain. Taking opioid pain medication in the hope it will relieve most of the pain is not the answer.

Opioids can often cause more problems than they resolve when taken for longer than three months. Why? Because the way our bodies react to pain medication changes over time. Regular, high-dose prescribed pain medication may be adversely affecting your life more than the pain itself!

Pain medications are not the only option to managing pain. Gentle exercise, physiotherapy, yoga, meditation, improved sleep, mindset and many other elements will contribute to your overall physical and mental well-being.

If you are worried or would like to discuss your current pain medication prescription and how to manages persistent pain more effectively, please book a pain review with a pharmacist or GP at your practice.

If you’re worried that you or someone you know could be dependent on pain medication, visit Help and support resources - Painkillers Don't Exist (painkillersdontexist.com)