One of the most common prescribed medicines used for chronic pain is steroids. Prednisone is one of the most common steroids used as an anti-inflammatory. Most doctors prescribe prednisone to most of their patients.

Prescribing prednisone for chronic pain offers tremendous relief. However, it is not without its share of side effects. Some of the more common side effects include dizziness, headaches, muscle weakness, and fatigue. For patients that are on higher doses, weight gain is also a well known side effect. Usually after discontinuing prednisone, that patient will slowly start to lose the extra weight. Another aspect of prednisone is its ability to inhibit calcium absorption, thus creating fragile and weak bones.

Many patients also use a massage therapist in addition to taking prednisone. This further helps to alleviate chronic pain. Massage therapists should be aware that patients taking prednisone should only have light, gentle massage strokes instead of a deep muscle workout. In addition, the patient should also advise their doctor if they are receiving massage treatments. All massage therapy specialists should be knowledge in the many side effects of prednisone since some of them can affect the massage therapy of some of their clients. They should also consult their clients as to what they are taking prednisone for.