News

Actions

This clinic is the only in KC metro to refuse to prescribe opioids

Posted at 1:01 PM, Sep 22, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-22 18:29:44-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The conversation between a doctor and patient has become more important than ever.

“I think everybody is trying to do their part to reverse this crisis,” said Dr. Muhammad Farhan.

The number of people dying from opioid overdoses has reached an all-time high.

Farhan is the director of the pain clinic across from Truman Medical Center in Kansas City.

He said some of the blame should be placed on doctors and pharmacists. That’s why he is taking a different approach.

“When I wanted to start this program two years ago, I was told this is not a reality, to run a pain program without opioids,” said Farhan.

One of his patients is Renea Molden. Before coming to the clinic, she was prescribed 90 pain pills a month to manage her pain.

“Some days you want to break your neck because it hurts so bad,” said Molden.

Now she’s managing her pain in other ways. She gets injections and does therapy.

“You need to try all the other options. Even if you are on opioids these need to be included: yoga, water therapy, hot baths, massages,” said Molden.

Farhan said opioids aren’t bad if they are used correctly. He said with education, patients can know other options exist.

“Pain is a complex issue, so the treatment needs to be complex too,” Farhan said. “There is no one way to treat chronic pain."