Non-opioid pain management: A safer path to relief

Sarang S. Koushik, MD

Submitted photo/Jason Torres

By expanding access to innovative treatments, we can help people reclaim their lives and reduce the reliance on opioids that has fueled so much tragedy in recent decades.”

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Pain is something nearly all of us will face at some point in life. For some, it’s the temporary result of an injury or surgery. For others, it becomes chronic, disrupting daily life and making even small tasks feel overwhelming. In every case, the need is the same: safe, effective relief.

Unfortunately, too many Americans still rely on treatments that carry devastating risks.

According to federal data, more than 7.8 million people over age 12 misuse prescription opioids each year. In Arizona, the consequences are clear: our state ranks 12th in the nation for drug overdose mortality.

While opioids can play an important role in managing certain types of pain, the risks of dependency, addiction and overdose cannot be ignored. The good news is that advances in medicine are creating safer, more effective options for those living with chronic pain. And Valley residents can tap into those solutions.

Rethinking approaches to pain management

Valleywise Health’s Comprehensive Health Center in Peoria includes a pain management clinic focused on non-opioid solutions. These are not just alternatives, they’re evidence-based treatments that have been shown to work, without the same risks tied to opioids.

Our approach emphasizes interventional procedures that are safe, minimally invasive and guided by the latest medical research. These therapies are tailored to each patient, with the goal of restoring function, reducing reliance on medications and improving quality of life.

One example is cooled radiofrequency ablation, an advanced technique that targets the very nerves responsible for sending pain signals to the brain. It uses thermal energy to silence those signals and bring long-term relief to patients who may have felt they were out of options.

Why access matters

For too long, patients struggling with pain have had only two options: living with discomfort or relying on powerful drugs with serious side effects. That gap in care has left too many vulnerable to the dangers of opioid misuse.

Access to these interventional treatments is a critical step forward. It means people no longer have to choose between suffering in silence or risking addiction. It also means providers can partner more effectively with patients to design a plan that addresses the root of their pain, not just the symptoms.

Pain Awareness Month is a reminder

September is Pain Awareness Month, a time to recognize the toll that pain takes on individuals and families, and to elevate the importance of safe and effective treatment. Chronic pain is not just a medical issue — it impacts mental health, employment, relationships and overall well-being.

By expanding access to innovative treatments, we can help people reclaim their lives and reduce the reliance on opioids that has fueled so much tragedy in recent decades.

Looking ahead

As a physician, I’ve seen how transformative pain management can be. Patients who once struggled to walk can return to work, exercise and quality time with loved ones. They gain not only relief but hope.

Pain will always be part of the human condition, but suffering doesn’t have to be. By embracing safe, innovative treatments, we can give more people the chance to heal, thrive and live fully — all while minimizing the risks of opioids.

Editor’s note: Sarang S. Koushik, MD is director of the Pain Management Clinic at Valleywise Comprehensive Health Center – Peoria. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.