Millions and millions of people all across the country live with some amount of pain. While most of the time it is mild in nature, but for many, it comes in the form of more severe and or is chronic. Unfortunately, this type of pain has a tendency to cause long-term discomfort or even can be debilitating.

Depending on the location of the chronic pain, such as in the lower back it can make it difficult to do a thing like an exercise. Fortunately, a doctor has many things that they can use to help treat
this type of chronic pain. One of those things is a pain reliever called Tramadol HCL and it has been shown to be quite effective.

What is Tramadol HCL?

Tramadol HCL or Tramadol Hydrochloride 50MG Tablets are an extended-release form of the Tramadol that is designed to deliver the narcotic-like pain reliever throughout the day. It is a
pain reliever that works on moderate to severe chronic type pain in the body. It should never be taken on an as-needed basis.

Tramadol HCL is a potent opioid analgesic used for pain relief, in some cases people choose to combine it with; acetaminophen, caffeine, and Butalbital (Fioricet). The caffeine is designed to help boost the effectiveness of the acetaminophen and Butalbital are designed to be a relaxer and anxiety reducer.

Let’s try to understand the interaction better:

Tramadol and Acetaminophen

Combining tramadol with acetaminophen is common in some pain relief medications (e.g., Ultracet). This combination is generally considered safe when taken within the prescribed dosages, as it can offer enhanced pain relief without significantly increasing the risk of side effects. However, excessive intake can increase the risk of liver damage due to acetaminophen and the risk of side effects from tramadol, such as nausea, dizziness, and respiratory depression.

Tramadol and Caffeine

Caffeine can potentially increase the side effects of tramadol, such as nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia. On the other hand, caffeine might also enhance the analgesic effect of tramadol to some extent. The interaction might vary greatly among individuals.

Tramadol and Butalbital

Butalbital is a barbiturate with sedative effects, used to relieve tension or migraine headaches. Combining butalbital with tramadol increases the risk of central nervous system (CNS) depression, leading to enhanced drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. In severe cases, it can lead to respiratory depression and coma. This combination should be used with caution, especially in the elderly or those with existing CNS depression.

Acetaminophen, Caffeine, and Butalbital Combination

This combination itself (found in medications like Fioricet) is used specifically for tension headaches and migraines. Adding tramadol to this mix could increase the risk of CNS depression, as both tramadol and butalbital have sedative effects. Additionally, the liver metabolism of these drugs could be affected, potentially leading to increased side effects

How does Tramadol work

Since Tramadol is a potent analgesic that is similar to opioids but it is non-narcotic which actually works by blocking the brain from feeling the pain in the first place. This is much different
from how NSAIDs work by reducing inflammation. By blocking the pain receptors from getting the pain signals, it in essence literally kills the pain.

By blocking the neurotransmitters in the brain the sensation of pain is virtually eliminated. It works in a similar way to opioids like codeine but is in a much weaker strength. This is the main
the reason why it is not prescribed for a heavy-duty painkilling requirement.

Tramadol Side Effects to be concerned with

One of the biggest concerns of Tramadol or any pharmaceutical medication is the fear of side effects. Whether you are talking about simple things that are more of an annoyance or more severe that can lead to serious complications, even in some cases death. Fortunately, Tramadol is has a relatively short list of common and more severe side effects that you should be concerned about.

 

Most common side effects of Tramadol

  • Drowsiness
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Constipation
  • A headache
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Dry mouth
  • Fatigue
  • Indigestion
  • Severe side effects (contact your doctor immediately)
  • Seizures are the most severe side effects

Concerns of dependency

Unlike actual opioids, Tramadol is far less likely to be addictive and therefore the concerns about physical dependency are not nearly as a problem. This is also why it is not on the US
government’s list of controlled substances like oxycodone and other opioid medications. Another good point of lower dose Tramadol HCL 50 MG tablets the amount of the drugs are quite low
and also highly unlikely to cause physical addiction.

How tramadol affects the brain to reduce pain

Tramadol works by affecting the brain’s perception of pain. It is a synthetic opioid analgesic which means it works by binding to specific receptors in the brain and spinal cord called mu-opioid receptors. These receptors are responsible for transmitting the sensation of pain throughout the body. When Tramadol binds to these receptors, it blocks the transmission of pain signals, reducing the sensation of pain.

In addition to binding to mu-opioid receptors, Tramadol also increases the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically serotonin and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters play a role in regulating mood, anxiety, and other emotional responses to pain. By increasing their levels, Tramadol can help to reduce the emotional distress associated with chronic pain.

Tramadol also acts on the descending pain inhibitory pathways in the brain and spinal cord, which helps to reduce the intensity of pain. It also affects the release and reuptake of certain neurotransmitters, which can help to reduce pain by modulating the activity of specific nerve cells.

How will Tramadol affect your training

Many people these days are looking for ways to live healthier lives, unfortunately, one of the best ways to live better is to be more active at least 3 to 5 days week. According to many health
experts simply adding 30 to 60 minutes a day of cardio activity for the 3 to 5 days week is more than enough to improve your overall health. Unfortunately, for many people, their workout nutrition prevents them from receiving the proper micro and macronutrients and also the amount of cardio activity is limited by some type of lower back pain. This pain really can make it difficult for them to even walk for more than a minutes at a time.

Taking Tramadol and jogging or other cardio exercise

According to at least one medical study a powerful analgesic such as Tramadol, a person could easily be able to perform a cardio-style exercise on a regular basis even with a diagnosed lower
back pain issue. The study focused on using a lower dosage of Tramadol in order to treat non-specific lower back pain in order to make it easier for them to be able to walk or jog at least
3 to 5 days a week.

Another significant result from the study on the effects of Tramadol and exercise is that it helped to improve oxygen utilization during a workout session. The combination of pain-relieving
and oxygen usage makes it a really good choice option for your doctor to prescribe it for you as a treatment for your lower back pain.

Tramadol and weight lifting Photo by Alora Griffiths
Tramadol and weight lifting

Tramadol and weight lifting

Weightlifting is a strenuous activity that involves weights and specific types of movements in order to create resistance. The more resistance that is created over the period of your workout
the likelihood you will see the results that you are hoping for. Unfortunately, for many people, they end up overdoing it and the resulting pain will keep them continuing to workout.
Lower dosage Tramadol can be used by weightlifters as it helps to reduce the inflammation caused by the tearing down of muscle fibers. By being able to work out through the moderate
pain is a huge thing for people who frequently overdo it when the lift weights as part of their exercise routines.

Cardio Vascular exercise and Tramadol

Regular cardio-style exercise can still be pursued even with a diagnosed lower back pain issue. A study was conducted to explore the use of a lower dosage of Tramadol as a treatment for non-specific lower back pain, allowing individuals to engage in walking or jogging for at least 3 to 5 days a week.

One notable finding from the study is that Tramadol, when combined with exercise, can improve oxygen utilization during workout sessions. This dual effect of pain relief and enhanced oxygen usage makes Tramadol a favorable option for doctors to prescribe as a treatment for lower back pain.

Conclusion

It is not surprising that doctors who specialize in treating patients with chronic or acute moderate to severe pain. Since it has shown to be extremely effective in relieving pain while not interfering
with the person’s ability to workout through the pain. By using lower doses like Tramadol 50 MG twice a day, it has been indicated by the study to be quite effective on lower back pain.
If you are someone who does have chronic lower back pain and still want to be able to do either cardiovascular activities or weight lift, you might want to consider asking your doctor about
prescribing Tramadol so that you will be able to despite your chronic pain.