Injuries like strained muscles and sprained ankles are very common.
And according to UPI, new research shows that there's no reason to get hooked on opioids just to deal with the pain from those injuries.
Two analyses have found non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are just as effective as opioids at reducing pain from such common injuries.
Canadian researchers from McMaster University say people taking NSAIDs also are less likely to abuse or become addicted to those pain relievers.
The findings come as the US continues to battle an opioid epidemic fueled by misuse and abuse of used prescribed pain medications.
Despite the risks, some 25% of people who suffer acute ankle sprains are prescribed highly addictive opioids.