Managing Pain Without Opioids: Safer Alternatives for Long-Term Relief from Dr. Brian Parks
7/10/2025
As the nation continues to face an opioid epidemic, DeTar Medical Group’s Brian Parks, D.O., is championing safer, evidence-based approaches to pain management in Victoria and the surrounding communities. Through the use of non-opioid therapies, Dr. Parks is helping patients find meaningful, long-term relief—without the risks associated with opioid use.
“Opioids have a place, but they’re not the first or only option,” says Dr. Parks, an interventional pain management specialist. “Our focus is on treating the underlying cause of pain, not just masking it.”
At DeTar Medical Group, Dr. Parks utilizes a broad range of non-opioid pain relief options, including:
- Nerve Blocks: Targeted injections that interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain.
- Epidural Steroid Injections: Anti-inflammatory medication delivered directly into the spine to reduce nerve irritation and pain.
- Physical Therapy: Custom rehabilitation plans that build strength, improve mobility, and relieve chronic pain.
- Behavioral Therapies: Including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps patients cope with pain through mental and emotional strategies.
These approaches are supported by clinical research. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), non-opioid treatments—including physical therapy, non-opioid medications, and interventional procedures—are often equally or more effective for managing chronic pain. The CDC’s updated guidelines recommend non-opioid therapies as the preferred treatment for most chronic pain conditions.
A 2022 study published in JAMA found that for patients with chronic back, knee, and hip pain, non-opioid treatments were just as effective as opioids in improving function, with fewer adverse effects and lower risk of long-term dependency.
“Pain is personal. What works for one patient may not work for another,” Dr. Parks explains. “That’s why we tailor each treatment plan to the individual—always starting with the safest, most effective options first.”
Dr. Parks encourages patients suffering from chronic or acute pain—and referring physicians—to consider the many benefits of comprehensive, non-opioid pain management. Early intervention and multidisciplinary care can not only improve quality of life but also reduce reliance on medications that carry significant risk.
About Dr. Brian Parks, D.O.: Dr. Parks is board-certified in anesthesiology and fellowship-trained in pain management. He treats a wide range of conditions using a variety of interventional techniques to help reduce and even eliminate the pain associated including back pain, joint pain, nerve injuries, and complex regional pain syndrome. For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Brian Parks, visit www.mydetardoctor.com or call (361) 574-1137.
About DeTar Medical Group: DeTar Medical Group is part of DeTar Healthcare System, serving Victoria and the Crossroads region with a wide range of primary and specialty care services. The system is committed to improving the health and wellness of the communities it serves through personalized care, innovative treatments, and patient education. Learn more at mydetardoctor.com.
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