For many people living with chronic back pain, medication often seems like the first or only option. Yet, over-reliance on long-term use of narcotics and opioids has been shown to do more harm than good. These medications may initially mask pain, but prolonged use can lead to significant complications, including tolerance, dependency, and a condition called opioid-induced hyperalgesia. This phenomenon causes the body to become more sensitive to pain over time, making pain syndromes more severe and resistant to treatment.
At Grand Rapids Pain, we believe there's a better way to treat pain that doesn't rely on daily medication or outdated approaches. Led by board-certified interventional pain specialists Dr. Keith Javery and Dr. Girish Juneja, our team in West Michigan specializes in locating the true source of pain and applying advanced, minimally invasive spinal therapies that offer real, lasting relief – without the dependency on medication.
Let’s explore how we approach chronic back pain differently, and why the answer to lasting backbone pain relief no longer lies in outdated treatments.
The Risks of Long-Term Medication Use
Chronic back pain often leads to prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, or prescription opioids. While these can help with short-term relief for acute episodes, research shows the long-term consequences often outweigh the benefits.
Common Risks of Prolonged Medication Use:
- Tolerance: Over time, the body requires higher doses to achieve the same relief, increasing dependency.
- Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia: This well-recognized phenomenon occurs when chronic use of opioids makes the nervous system more sensitive to pain rather than relieving it. Patients may feel like they’re managing their pain with narcotics, but over time, they report worse pain if they don’t take the medication, creating a vicious cycle of reliance.
- Physical Dependency and Addiction: Chronic opioid use can lead to physical and psychological dependency, making it exceedingly difficult to stop taking the medication.
- Systemic Side Effects: Prolonged use of medications can lead to liver or kidney damage, gastrointestinal issues, and cognitive side effects, particularly in older patients.
The most pragmatic consequence of long-term opioid use is that it causes the chronic pain problem to become more stubborn and resistant to treatment. Multiple studies have demonstrated that opioids fail to address the root cause of pain, instead exacerbating sensitivity through tolerance and other mechanisms. At Grand Rapids Pain, our approach eliminates the dependency on narcotics, giving you the best chance of reducing pain and reclaiming your life.
Physical Therapy and Posture-Centered Relief
One of the cornerstones of drug-free pain management is physical therapy. Guided by an experienced provider, physical therapy not only strengthens the muscles supporting the spine but also helps correct poor posture, one of the most common contributors to low back pain.
Benefits of Physical Therapy for Back Pain:
- Strengthening Core and Stabilizer Muscles: These muscles support the spine and reduce strain.
- Improving Flexibility and Range of Motion: This can relieve stiffness and prevent further injury.
- Teaching Safe Movement Practices: Proper body mechanics during daily tasks can protect the back and prevent recurrent pain.
Chronic back pain patients often experience significant improvements in function and comfort through physical therapy, all without the risks associated with long-term medications.
Holistic and Alternative Therapies for Back Pain
We understand the growing interest in holistic remedies for back pain. While we don’t offer every complementary method in-house, we frequently integrate and support evidence-based therapies, including:
- Acupuncture (using thin needles to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation)
- Massage therapy to relieve muscle pain and improve circulation
- Spinal manipulation or chiropractic care for mechanical pain
These therapies for back pain can be highly effective when paired with expert diagnostics and a personalized treatment plan. When coordinated properly, these options can reduce reliance on medication while improving pain from chronic conditions.
Minimally Invasive Spinal Therapies: What We Do Differently
At Grand Rapids Pain, we go beyond traditional treatments to offer advanced interventional pain management techniques. Our approach centers on minimally invasive spinal therapies (MIST 2.0), which are precise, image-guided procedures that directly target the source of chronic pain.
Key Treatments We Offer:
- Radiofrequency Ablation: This procedure disrupts nerve signals that transmit pain, providing long-lasting relief for conditions like arthritis or facet joint pain.
- Spinal Cord Stimulation: Tiny electrical impulses interrupt pain signals en route to the brain, offering relief without narcotics.
- Targeted Nerve Blocks: These injections focus directly on inflamed or irritated nerves, reducing inflammation and pain with minimal systemic effects.
- Minimally Invasive Decompression: For spinal stenosis or herniated discs, this technique removes bone or tissue pressing on nerves, restoring function without open surgery.
These treatments reduce pain, restore mobility, and preserve spinal health without medications that risk opioid-induced hyperalgesia or dependency.
Lifestyle Factors That Impact Back Pain
While treatment plays a vital role, long-term relief also depends on smart lifestyle choices. We support patients in making small but significant changes, including:
Weight Management
Excess weight, especially in the abdominal area, strains the lower back. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces structural stress and inflammation.
Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids can naturally reduce inflammation. Limiting processed foods, fried foods, and added sugars supports long-term pain relief.
Routine Physical Activity
Low-impact activities such as swimming, walking, or yoga strengthen the body without adding undue stress to the spine.
Stress Management
Chronic stress can exacerbate physical pain through muscle tension and poor sleep. Techniques such as mindfulness-based stress reduction, deep breathing, and therapy can address the psychological aspects of chronic pain.
At Grand Rapids Pain, we guide patients in integrating these strategies into their daily lives, creating sustainable improvements in both function and quality of life.
Why Our Approach Works
Decades of research and clinical experience have clarified that long-term opioid use is no longer standard care for chronic non-terminal pain. Opioid-induced hyperalgesia, dependency issues, and lack of effectiveness in addressing the root cause of pain make these medications counterproductive for long-term treatment.
What Patients Experience with Chronic Opioid Use:
- Pain Becomes Recurring and Severe: Many people report that after weeks or months of taking narcotic pain medications, their pain becomes more intense and widespread. While they may feel temporary relief after dosing, the rebound effect worsens sensitivity, trapping them in a cycle of dependency.
- Loss of Functional Independence: Relying on opioids often leads to dependency, making daily tasks even harder without the pills.
The standard of care now prioritizes eliminating long-term opioid use for non-terminal pain syndromes, as it is essential to helping patients “get their lives back.” At Grand Rapids Pain, our strategies ensure safer, healthier, and more effective pain management.
Why Choose Grand Rapids Pain?
At Grand Rapids Pain, we offer more than just treatment; we offer hope. Dr. Keith Javery and Dr. Girish Juneja are nationally recognized leaders in interventional pain management and bring decades of experience to West Michigan. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Personalized Care Plans: Every patient meets directly with a physician. No middleman. No generic protocols. Your treatment is tailored precisely to your unique condition.
- Advanced Techniques: We utilize cutting-edge interventional procedures, from spinal cord stimulation to minimally invasive decompression, ensuring the most effective relief available.
- A Commitment to Long-Term Relief: We don’t believe in quick fixes or outdated approaches. Our treatments are designed to offer meaningful, lasting pain control without dependency on medication.
Your Pain Deserves More Than a Prescription
If your pain has not responded to the “usual conservative treatment approaches,” you don’t have to settle for another prescription. At Grand Rapids Pain, we find the source and offer solutions others simply can’t.
Call (616) 727-0083 or request your appointment online to learn more about our minimally invasive spinal therapies and back pain treatment options.
