Every day, more than 130 people in the United States die from an opioid overdose, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It's no secret that opioid abuse is a severe national health crisis that extends to multiple facets of society, including the medical, social, and economic sectors. Sadly, most opioid abusers started taking the prescribed drug for pain that perhaps could have been initially helped—or even eliminated—through a chiropractic adjustment.
One of the most effective ways to positively affect the opioid crisis is to stop the prescribing of opioids. Patients need increased access to alternative methods of pain management that don't lead to abuse and addiction.
Enter chiropractic care.
“Chiropractors’ use of spinal manipulation as a non-drug approach to back pain treatment is especially relevant in combating the U.S. opioid epidemic. Low back pain is one of the most common conditions for which prescription opioid pain medications are prescribed even though research shows the drugs have limited effectiveness in relieving back pain and carry higher risks,” according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).
Research Shows That Chiropractic Care Can Help Relieve Pain Naturally
In 2017, the American College of Physicians (ACP) updated its guidelines for the treatment of acute and chronic low back pain to recommend first using non-invasive, non-drug treatments before resorting to drug therapies. The ACP guidelines cited spinal manipulation—a key component of chiropractic care—as a non-drug option for lower back pain.
The guidelines further stated that prescription opioids should be a last resort for those suffering from low back pain, and only after lesser habit-forming medicines, such as ibuprofen or muscle relaxants, had been tried first.
Get Pain Relief and Claim Our New Patient Special
Living in pain is no way to live! If you are suffering from chronic discomfort, we'd like to talk with you and see if chiropractic can help. Before you look into prescription painkillers, try spinal manipulation. Routine chiropractic care is beneficial for your overall health and wellbeing; it can lessen or eliminate pain and will prevent flare-ups in the future.
Right now, we are offering an exclusive special for new patients: $49 for your first exam. Contact us today to schedule your first session with Dr. Susan Knight.