I want other options
How do I ask my doctor about other options besides medication?
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Ask plainly: "What else could help, besides medication?" You have the right to take part in your care plan. For pain, many guidelines now put non-drug options first: things like heat, movement, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture or relaxation.
What to do
- Before the visit or rounds, write down your question and what matters most to you.
- Ask what else could help, and what each option is likely to do for you.
- Ask the nurse or doctor to write the plan in your chart, and who to ask if it isn't working.
What to say
Before we add a medication, what else could help? Could we try something without medication first, or use it alongside?
Say it to the doctor or nurse. If you are the family member, add: "This matters to her. Can we talk about it today?"
What to watch out for
This is a sensitive stepSmall details here can change the outcome, and some mistakes are hard to undo. We highly recommend a free 15-minute call with us before you decide.
Waiting to be asked. Doctors are busy, and the conversation often moves fast. Bring it up yourself, early, before the plan is set.
Also: forgetting to mention what you already use. Tell the team about any herbs, supplements or practices, so they can plan with the whole picture.
Better done together
We’re here to help
It can feel hard to ask a doctor for something different, especially in a hospital, when you are tired or worried about someone you love.
We can help you put your question into a few clear words, work out who to ask, and plan what to say if the first answer is "no." Book a free 15-minute call and we'll get ready together.
Every situation is different, and these are sensitive moments, so we look at yours with care. We often see what others miss, and we never take commissions from insurance companies: the only thing we are working for is what is right for you.
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The rule behind it
Hospitals that take Medicare must let patients take part in their plan of care and make informed decisions, including asking for or refusing treatment (42 CFR 482.13(b)). For low back pain, the American College of Physicians guideline (2017) recommends starting with non-drug options such as heat, massage, acupuncture, spinal manipulation and exercise. The CDC guideline on pain (2022) says non-opioid options work at least as well as opioids for many kinds of short-term pain, and are preferred for longer-lasting pain. The National Institutes of Health suggests you raise complementary approaches with your providers yourself and tell them everything you use.
Sources
- 42 CFR 482.13 · Hospital condition of participation: patient's rights
- Qaseem et al., Ann Intern Med 2017 · ACP guideline on noninvasive treatments for low back pain (PubMed)
- CDC · Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain, 2022
- NIH NCCIH · 4 tips: Start talking with your health care providers about complementary health approaches
Amanda Alcodia
Last reviewed: October 2026
Education, not medical, legal or insurance advice.
Useful next steps
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