What do you guys think of pain management? Has anyone tried this route?

I'm still recovering from my surgeries but I guess in the back of my mind there is always the fear that the pain will never fully go away. What options do we have after that? I do not want to take medications. I've taken them after the surgeries and the side effects were awful. Right now I take ibuprofen and that is keeping the pain at minimum if I don't use my hands too much. If I use them for too long, I get pain. I understand this is still normal since it's only been 2 months since my second surgery.

Lots of free time with lots of things to think about.