https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg173/chapter/1-recommendat...
http://pathways.nice.org.uk/pathways/low-back-pain-early-man...
http://pathways.nice.org.uk/pathways/opioids-for-pain-relief...
(There's lots on NICE. That's the organisation that assesses effectiveness and cost effectiveness of treatments, and makes recommendations about whether they should be used in English National Health Service. I guess this is one of the "death panels" we have in this country.)
BBC Radio Four have a programme called Inside Health. They had an episode on the benefits of exercise, including exercise as a treatment for arthritis pain. Sadly, BBC geoblock some programmes. (I have no idea which ones either.) http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06vkg24
doctors are full of alternatives, but people loooooove opioids so that's what they prescribe. people also think doctors always make the best decisions, but that's horseshit, they commonly make terrible decisions because they're overworked and their patients are terrible at communicating.
the last time i went in for pain they immediately offered me opioids, i said nope and LO, AND BEHOLD, an alternative was immediately offered.
and GUESS WHAT, they were SUPER CHEAP. hmmmmmm....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketorolac https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylprednisolone
Please tell me your post was ment ironic. There are people out there who cant move without pain medication - and who regularly hear a "Get a job." from the same guys who recommend "Dont do drugs!".
It may come as a shock: I know, its a strange thing to contemplate- but others might not be a copy of you. Like, there are other people, but they are diffrent?