Why Do Medications Recommend Taking Pain Meds At Onset of Pain Rather Than When Its At Peak?

Question

Why Do Medications Recommend Taking Pain Meds At Onset of Pain Rather Than When Its At Peak?

In: 2

Answer 1

It’s much harder to block the pain signal after it’s being sent. The way nerves work is each fits the signal like a key – so the pain signal fits into the neuron like a key in a lock. If the key is already in the lock replacing it with a new (pain med) key is much harder. Put the pain med key in first or when the signal is weak (fewer keys in fewer locks) and you can stop the signal much more easily.