Opioids, prescription painkillers such as morphine and oxycodone, have helped to manage pain for centuries. In recent years, however, misuse of these drugs has increased, and our nation is currently experiencing what many are calling an “opioid epidemic.” According to the Centers for Disease Control, an average of 115 Americans a day overdose and die from opioid use. 30 times that number end up in an emergency room for treatment.
Why choose chiropractic?
This type of non-invasive therapy is based on the application of several joint manipulations performed by a chiropractor, a health professional trained to restore joint functionality and give the body the capacity to heal itself back. Chiropractic care can help solve those factors related to the main condition, such as pain, inflammation, reduced range of motion, decreased strength, among others.
Unfortunately, many treatment plans still rely on prolonged and unsupervised administration of opioids, which, considering that prescription opioids addiction is one of the major health issues at the moment due to the surprisingly easy access that these have, makes this whole situation a more complicated one.
In search of a solution to this problem, experts on the matter who attended the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) 2019 Annual Meeting stated that “as part of a strategy to lessen opioid use, clinical guidelines now recommend many non-pharmacological options to be considered as front-line treatment ahead of any medication, chiropractic care included.”
What people do not understand is that prescription medications only treat the symptom (pain) while ignoring the cause of the pain. Chiropractic care offers a natural solution to pain relief, focusing on the underlying issue rather than simply masking your pain. Going to a chiropractor eliminates the need for opioids that oftentimes lead the patient to habit-forming addictions.
Health care quality organizations now recognize the value of the conservative approach of chiropractic care for pain management and treatment of injury.
Evidence of this is the Joint Commission, which certifies more than 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including every major hospital, revised its pain management standard to include chiropractic services.
At Family CCR, we work with patients to begin their journey back to wellness without the use of drugs. Consider calling for a consultation to see if chiropractic is right for you.