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Painkillers - Is it more in the mind than we realize?

We all know that painkillers such as paracetamol and NSAIDs can provide quick relief from osteoarthritis - or do we? This most basic level of medical care has been questioned by the results of several studies recently, which suggest that neither is as effective as we thought.

The most surprising is the effectiveness - or otherwise - of paracetamol, whose painkilling qualities have been a given for the longest time. But when researchers tested the effectiveness against a placebo on people with arthritic knees, 52 per cent in both groups reported an easing of their pain.

Similarly, those who used a topical NSAID cream to help their osteoarthritis fared no better than those who rubbed in a placebo cream.

Looking at it another way, placebo was as good as any drug, which indicates that mental suggestion could be a powerful painkiller. This is supported by another study of 40 rheumatoid arthritis sufferers whose pain was reduced by meditation. They were taught a form of meditation called mindfulness, which focuses on the breath. As they reduced their stress levels, so their pain decreased, researchers discovered.

Painkillers - Is it more in the mind? - Scientists testing the effectiveness of paracetamol vs a placebo in people with arthritic knees found a 52 per cent rate of success with both treatmen...

Nsaids: - The risks outweigh the benefits for osteoarthritis sufferers - Most osteoarthritis sufferers are still on long-term therapy either with one of the painkilling NSAIDs (non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs) or a...

Osteoarthritis - Is there an alternative way of dealing with osteoarthritis, specifically spondylitis? As you are no doubt aware, orthodox medicine has no answer. In f...

Arthritis: nsaid overkill - Paracetamol and simple analgesics are probably just as effective as non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for relieving pain in osteoarthriti...

New drugs - New profits for old product - Most new drugs are simply old drugs with a bit of window dressing to justify double the price tag. Yet, the dangers multiply from these novel twists a...

Painkillers: - Who needs drugs when acupuncture works? - If the NSAID painkillers cause gastric bleeding and the COX-2 variety can lead to heart problems, where can you turn? Step forward acupuncture, the p...

Arthritis: the price of painkillers - Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, the treatment of choice for all forms of arthritis, may cause more problems than they solve. ... ...

Drugs that relieve pain: The NSAIDs - Medical studies have demonstrated that a pain-relieving drug – such as an NSAID (non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug) or a COX-2 – can help enormous...

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