The Foundation of Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), is a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to increasing awareness around the value of chiropractic care. It has recently publicly applauded the Senate health committee hearings which have taken on the task of addressing alternative care options that can be used to treat 1.9 million U.S. individuals suffering from opioid abuse.
The infusion of drug-free chiropractic care has the power to reduce pain and navigate around the need for opioids.
According to Sherry McAllister, DC, executive vice president, F4CP, “The first call-to-action for change is increased education about the risks of prescription opioid abuse and safer, non-pharmaceutical options, including chiropractic care which is documented to yield improved clinical outcomes and high patient satisfaction scores.”
Another key point is the Institute of Medicine’s proclamation that pain is a major public health challenge. Reports indicate that over two percent of U.S. adults use prescription pain medications to reduce chronic pain, with over half of them medicating for back pain.
Over the course of a one-year study, researchers watched over 26,000 back pain patients and found that over 61 percent received opioid therapy for their pain and over 19 percent where themselves long-term opioid users.
Conversely, Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs), who have at a minimum of seven years of higher education, are trained to diagnose, evaluate and provide patient management including drug-free care and rehabilitation, are able to assist those suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain without pain medications.
“While opioids are commonly prescribed for acute and subacute low back pain, there is inconclusive evidence associated with the effectiveness of opioids for pain management,” says Dr. McAllister. “It is critical that health care providers thoroughly investigate the reason for the patients’ pain upon the initial consultation and execute a safe and appropriate care plan to ensure long-term relief.”
As becomes increasingly obvious that alternative care for pain relief does in fact exist, more reports and studies have come to the surface to support this fact. Reports such as, “Never Only Opioids: The Imperative for Early Integration of Non-Pharmacological Approaches and Practitioners in the Treatment of Patients with Pain,”(PAINS Project Policy Brief: Fall 2014, Issue 5) support drug-free care, such as chiropractic care, for the treatment of chronic pain. This will change the course of pain management in the future.
At Vital Health Chiropractic in Moon Townhsip, PA we are here for your well-being! Helping our patients is our business and what we do best! Visit us today for a free consultation or contact us to learn more or schedule an appointment!