Back pain sufferers are being urged to try wearable technology and natural remedies before taking painkillers. #9News | http://9News.com.au
Posted by 9 News Gold Coast on Friday, January 19, 2018
As reported on Nine News Gold Coast Australia. The effective alternative for soon to be banned OTC Codeine Pain Killers.
Reporting - Jayde Cotic: Georgia Harding has suffered from chronic back and neck pain for years. After trying a range of natural therapies, the mum of two discovered Pain Pod.
Georgia Harding: To start with, I had to use it a lot. It wasn't ... I was using it several times a day on some days, on bad days.
Jayde Cotic: The medical device designed here on the coast uses electrical pulses to block pain signals to the brain and it's drug free.
Georgia Harding: It allows me to keep working. It allows me to go about my time and do all of the things I need to do as a busy mum.
Jayde Cotic: Doctors and physios are backing the technology, hoping it will deter patients from codeine painkillers.
Yves (Physiotherapist) : There are a lot of different options out there, and this device, the PainPod, is another good, natural option that might be able to help people when they have those symptoms.
James Finn: Codeine by itself is a very, very poor painkiller. It's one of the worst. We know that it's no better than paracetamol.
Jayde Cotic: In 12 days, codeine painkillers will become prescription-only, with local pharmacies banned from selling the drugs over the counter.
Arwel Jones: For people coming in with easily managed dental pain, back pain, headaches, they're going to have to actually see the doctor.
Jayde Cotic: But some pharmacists believe there are better ways to manage the painkillers.
Arwel Jones: Maybe implementing a mandatory real time monitoring system, like the MedsASSIST.
Jayde Cotic: The ban takes effect February 1st. Jayde Cotic, Nine Gold Coast News.
Speaker 6: Nine Gold Coast News. Still your number one local news after 21 years.