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In the last 18 years, I have been using numerous treatments which are highly effective in relieving musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain. Prolotherapy using hypertonic dextrose or PRP can effectively treat musculoskeletal pain from tendinitis to arthritis. Neuropathic pain responds well to hydro-dissection and perineural injections using 5% mannitol or buffered 5% dextrose. These, after training, are easily accessible to most family practitioners, making them readily available to the general public
Unfortunately, under the pretext of protecting the public, the British Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons is preparing a series of guidelines which will make these treatments only available in clinics equipped for surgical interventions and for use by specialists. Instead of being available in a matter of days, the waiting time for effective pain relief will exceed years. In other words, instead of preventing the use of opioids by treating and often eliminating the cause of pain, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia is encouraging their use through delaying effective treatment.
As the editorial points out so well, family practitioners are key to preventing and treating OUD. Part of this prevention is giving them the tools to avoid the need for opioids. It is unfortunate that, at this time, the British Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons is doing the opposite.
Competing Interests: None declared.