How do people in other countries deal with pain?

Americans enjoy the highest standard of healthcare of any nation in the world. The expertise of our providers, our amazing medical technology, and the access provided to most Americans has become the envy of many other countries.

Despite all of our advances, however, the U.S. is still the world leader in the consumption of narcotics for the relief of pain: Last year, nearly 250 million prescriptions were written to help ease the pain of various conditions, including joint pain and lower back pain.

On an average day, Americans consume 47,580 doses of narcotics per million inhabitants - the world's highest - compared to just 1,223 in Japan, 8,520 in France, and 13,032 in Spain.

Questions abound: Do we have more pain per capita in the U.S. vs. other countries? If so, are we treating the pain with the proper remedies?

The answer to the first question is, yes, Americans are experiencing more pain. A 2018 survey revealed that 34.1 percent of Americans reported bodily aches or pains "often" or "very often" in the past four weeks. That compares to 17.5 percent in Japan, 21.9 percent in France, and 16.4 percent in Spain.

The answer to the second question is "not always." In some other countries and cultures, such as African nations, revealing pain is considered a weakness and the conditions are simply ignored or self-medicated with analgesics or herbs.

For centuries, Chinese medicine has taken a multi-prong approach to treating pain by using herbs and techniques such as acupuncture and acupressure to provide relief.

Japan has a particular aversion to the use of opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opts instead for acupressure, massage, and relaxation techniques. Japan also endorses the practice of Tai Chi for the relief of pain from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia, to name a few.

In the U.S., our standard of health care is high, but it may benefit from the broader incorporation of non-traditional pain relief methods and remedies.

A U.S. pain relief option without narcotics

Pain in the U.S. is too often treated with an over-the-counter NSAID, or a potentially dangerous opioid prescribed by a licensed medical provider. But there is a way to help relieve chronic or intermittent joint pain, including pain in the lower back, without having to resort to the use of NSAIDs or opioids.

 ReJoint is a doctor formulated, 100% natural, safe, herbal remedy that can help provide you or your loved one with the chronic or intermittent joint pain relief or back pain relief you want. For more information call (201) 875-8055.

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