Here’s how to fix America’s painkiller problem — without leaving pain patients behind

Vox

I have a sister who has serious pain problems. In fact, one of her doctors (she has a number of them, keeping her alive) is a pain doctor. She is very interested in what he can do for her, and (it seems to me) is dependent on him, for how she feels about herself.

I would like for her to read this article from Vox - but she would just take a look at the illustration, and look no further, it's too complicated for her to even consider.

She is not a stupid person - in fact, she is a typical person for her age and location (in her Sixties, in Southern Texas). Her doctors are willing to perform some expensive laser surgery on her back (twice, in fact) but are not willing to try the alternative therapies mentioned in this article.