Different Types of Pain Relief

Some common pain relief medicines include:

• Paracetamol – Paracetamol is a medicine you can usually buy over the counter at your local pharmacy. It’s used to help ease mild to moderate pain, including headache, migraine, muscle aches, period pain, toothache, and aches and pains caused by the common cold or flu.^{1, 2} Paracetamol-based pain relievers, like those in the Panadol range, can also help to reduce a high temperature.

• Ibuprofen– Like paracetamol, ibuprofen is also a common medicine that’s usually available without a prescription. It helps to relieve mild to moderate aches and pains.^{1, 3} The key difference between the two, however, is that ibuprofen is part of a family of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Because they have anti-inflammatory properties, NSAIDs like ibuprofen are better for easing pain when swelling and inflammation are also present – for example, due to arthritis or an injury.⁴

• Codeine– Codeine belongs to a family of medicines called opiates, which are medium-strength pain relievers. ⁴ Codeine is often not used on its own, but rather regularly combined with other medications (such as paracetamol and aspirin) to help provide effective pain relief.^{4, 5} Depending on its strength, codeine may be available to buy at a pharmacy, or it may need to be prescribed by your doctor. Since it is a higher-strength painkiller than paracetamol or ibuprofen, however, codeine is only recommended for use on a short-term basis, as there is a risk of developing dependency on codeine after long-term use.⁴

No matter which of the above medicines you may take to help ease your pain, always use any medication exactly as directed on the product label, and read the full dosage instructions before use.

If your pain does not improve after treatment with any of these common pain relief medications, speak to your doctor. They can advise you on the appropriate next steps for easing your pain.

Some common types of exercise for pain relief include:^{6, 7}

• Walking

• Light stretching

• Swimming

• Yoga

• Pilates
  

It’s important to speak to a doctor or physiotherapist before undertaking any of these forms of exercise if you are experiencing pain, to make sure it is safe for you to do so. They can advise you on the best exercises for your specific situation and ensure that you are not at risk of causing yourself any further pain or damage.⁶