Understanding Your Treatment Options: NSAIDs, Narcotics, and Steroids

Innovative Pain Medicine | ipainmed.com | July 1, 2026

When you visit our office with pain or inflammation, our main goal is to get you feeling better safely and effectively. Depending on your specific condition, we typically utilize three main categories of medication.

Here is a simple breakdown of what they are, when we use them, and why they are a part of your treatment plan.

1. NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

This group of medications is prescribed in tablet or capsule form for daily or short-term use at home.

What they are: NSAIDs are medications that do two things at once: they target pain and they actively reduce swelling (inflammation). Common examples include strong, prescription-strength versions of medications similar to ibuprofen.
When they are given: We typically prescribe these for conditions involving joint pain, muscle strains, sprains, or ongoing inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
Why they are prescribed: > The General "Why": Pain is often a direct result of swelling. By knocking down the inflammation at the source, NSAIDs don't just mask the pain—they help the tissue actually calm down and heal.

Our office prefers starting with NSAIDs because they allow patients to stay active during physical therapy without relying on heavier medications.
NSAIDs are still medications - even though available over the counter. Read directions provided.
We do not prescribe them for patients over 60, since they can be hard on the stomach.

2. Narcotics (Opioids)

This group of medications is heavily regulated, prescribed with strict instructions, and used for very short periods.

What they are: Narcotics are powerful pain-relieving medications that work directly on the central nervous system to change how your brain perceives severe pain.
When they are given: We reserve these strictly for severe, acute pain. This most commonly includes the immediate days following a surgical procedure or immediately after a major, acute traumatic injury.
Why they are prescribed: > The General "Why": When pain is severe, it can prevent you from resting, moving safely, or beginning the earliest stages of recovery. We prescribe these to create a "window of comfort" during the most intense phase of healing.
We may prescribe narcotics: When pain is severe, it can prevent you from resting, moving safely, or beginning the earliest stages of recovery. We prescribe these to create a "window of comfort" during the most intense phase of healing.

Because they are under strict regulation it is important that toxicology tests will be administered periodically to ensure safe dosages.

We at Innovative Pain Medicine will be your partner during your pain journey and will provide the best possible solutions for your care.

For more information go to our website, or call us if you would like to make an appointment.

This treatment is administered as a targeted injection directly in our office.

What they are: These are not the steroids associated with bodybuilding. Corticosteroids are powerful, fast-acting anti-inflammatory medications that mimic hormones your body naturally produces to fight stress and inflammation.
When they are given: We use these for localized, intense inflammation—such as a severely inflamed joint (like a knee or shoulder), bursitis, or a pinched nerve.
Why they are prescribed: > The General "Why": While a pill has to travel through your whole body, an injection delivers a high concentration of medicine directly to the exact spot that hurts. This provides rapid, powerful relief right where it is needed most.

We utilize in-office injections to rapidly reduce localized swelling, often delaying or completely eliminating the need for more invasive surgeries."

The Right Tool for the Right Job

No two patients—and no two injuries—are exactly alike. We carefully evaluate your symptoms to choose the safest, most effective option for your specific stage of recovery.

If you have questions about your prescription or upcoming treatment, never hesitate to ask our team during your next visit!