Medications for Managing Your Pain
At Wellspring Pain Clinic, we understand that medications can play a role in managing chronic pain—but they are only one part of a broader, holistic approach to helping you regain control of your life.
Understanding Pain Medications
Pain medications come in many forms: tablets, patches, creams, and even infusions. Choosing the right medication depends on the type of pain (e.g., nerve pain, musculoskeletal pain, inflammatory pain) and your individual response.
We recognise that many patients have valid concerns about starting pain medications—such as fear of addiction, unwanted side effects, or uncertainty about their long-term benefit. Others may worry that helpful medications will be reduced or stopped too soon.
At Wellspring Pain Clinic, our goal is not to simply prescribe, but to guide you toward better pain control with fewer risks. We do this by:
Recommending targeted, evidence-based medications tailored to your specific pain condition
Starting with very low doses and carefully adjusting only if the medication is effective and well tolerated
Focusing on short-term use, where possible, rather than indefinite reliance
Common Medications We Use
We may use a range of medications as part of a personalised treatment plan, including:
Paracetamol and anti-inflammatories (e.g., celecoxib, meloxicam) for musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain
Gabapentinoids (e.g., pregabalin, gabapentin) and antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, duloxetine) for nerve pain
Topical agents (e.g., compounded topical cream, lidocaine patches) for localised symptoms
Muscle relaxants or agents that target central sensitisation when appropriate
We may also support temporary use of opioid medications for severe pain, but always with clear goals and exit plans.
Our Approach to Opioid Medications
At Wellspring Pain Clinic, we aim to minimise opioid use while staying realistic and compassionate. Opioids can be effective in acute or short-term pain, but research has shown that in the long term, they may:
Risk 1
Lose effectiveness (tolerance)
Risk 2
Increase sensitivity to pain (opioid-induced hyperalgesia)
Risk 3
Lead to dependency or significant side effects
For these reasons, we typically avoid long-term opioid therapy and instead focus on safer, more sustainable strategies.
A Holistic, Long-Term Approach
Pain is complex, and medication alone is rarely the full answer. That's why we take a multidisciplinary approach, working with you on:
Physical rehabilitation (e.g., physiotherapy, hydrotherapy)
Psychological strategies (e.g., pain coping skills, reducing fear and catastrophisation)
Interventional procedures (e.g., nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, neuromodulation)
Lifestyle adjustments that improve sleep, mood, movement, and overall wellbeing
Our goal is to empower you—to reduce reliance on medications over time and help you regain a sense of control, purpose, and quality of life.
If you have questions about any medications or treatment options, we welcome open discussion at your next appointment.