Dr. Rob Theiss, a physician at Iredell Pain Management, outlined several options for treating pain without the use of opioids in a statement released on Mar. 25. Theiss addressed common concerns about back and neck pain, which he said are among the most frequent issues he encounters in his practice.
The topic is important as back pain remains the leading cause of disability worldwide, and many patients are searching for safe ways to manage chronic discomfort. Theiss said that aging-related arthritis and pinched nerves are often responsible for this type of pain.
“Most commonly as we age, there is arthritis that affects our joints,” Theiss said. “The other common cause is pinched nerves.” He emphasized that each patient’s situation is unique and requires individualized treatment based on medical history and tolerance.
Theiss reflected on changes in the field due to the opioid crisis: “All parties in the healthcare industry, including doctors, have to own up to the role we had, along with pharmaceuticals, in the opioid epidemic.” He explained that while opioids can be necessary tools in some cases—”I think of myself as a carpenter. I’ve got tools in my toolbox, and opioids are just one tool of many… but for most people they aren’t”—other therapies should be considered first because they carry fewer risks.
He described alternatives such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy (especially helpful for conditions like fibromyalgia), non-opiate medications including anti-inflammatories and topical creams with minimal side effects, injections like steroids or heat-based treatments for arthritis pain, nerve stimulation devices such as TENS units or implantable leads used temporarily or permanently to reduce nerve pain.
Theiss encouraged collaboration among healthcare professionals when determining treatment plans: “We do have those longitudinal relations with people in general,” he said. Patients experiencing acute or chronic pain were advised to consult their primary care provider about referrals.
