Secondly, some good studies out there showing that Tylenol is AS EFFECTIVE in controlling chronic pain, (and acute pain in ED) as the opioids
Well wherever the above "good studies" You Posted came from.
The way I read it it's Tylenol=Opioids and if that's the case then I should be allowed to buy Opioids OTC. And I can't so they are Not equal or AS EFFECTIVE.
I have a simple fix for the STREET OPIOIDS problem. They get one bust for free and are offered help to get unstrung and the second time is a bullet to the head. Cheap, simple and effective.
There are many many many people who do not abuse pain meds, sounds like you’re one, or that are not addicted to these meds. There are many who are. They take the meds not to control pain, but because their body cannot live without the meds.
It’s a complicated issue. I’m not in any way saying these drugs should be stopped. I think that doctors should be careful in their prescribing.
I for one, deal with first line back and neck pain. When a patient fails my treatment, it’s because they need surgery, and surgery helps. And they’re relatively pain free. OTOH I know of many people where a back or neck fusion has made the quality of life worse.
I can only speak for my own experience. When I’m confronted with a patient with acute and chronic spine pain, I’ve had the best success with a McKenzie Clinic. I’ve used this approach for over 25 years, and I’ve been very pleased with the results.