The common solution for surgery or chronic pain is pain killers or opioids. The use or overuse of these pain pills has caused an opioid epidemic throughout the United States, but especially Utah. In Utah, an average of 323 people die from a prescription opioid drug overdose every year. The solution for the Utah opioid epidemic may not be as simple as limiting access to opioids or going to a chiropractor, but it could be a more promising solution for those that experience extreme pain.
How Chiropractic Treatment Can Help You Avoid Opioids
Historically, back pain has been one of the most common reasons why opioids are prescribed to patients. But on the flip side, there is really no evidence to show that opioids provide relief for chronic pain. Whether your pain is from surgery, an accident or is chronic, there are better options than prescription opioids.
Beyond the risks of prescription overdose, opioids can make the problem seem that it is less severe than it actually is, or make the patient think their condition is fully healed. This can lead to overexertion or delay the healing process. Chiropractic and other non-drug approaches to pain management can be the first step in eliminating the pain completely and keeping the opioid epidemic from growing.
The American College of Physicians updated its guidelines in 2017 to suggest the use of non-invasive and non-drug therapies for back pain first rather than opioid use. Only when the non-drug therapies do not limit the pain is when other medicines such as ibuprofen and muscle relaxants should be recommended. The last resort should be opioids and should only be used after all methods of massage, acupuncture, heat therapy and spinal manipulation have been tested for the patient. This can limit the chance of overdose and help to heal you from your pain in a more natural way.
With Elevate Wellness Chiropractic we have studied and mastered several chiropractic techniques to improve spinal biomechanics and reduce nervous system interference. We practice the safest chiropractic techniques and help to bring balance to the spinal column and pelvic girdle.
Over time, it is common to see misalignments that can separate the vertebrae, causing pain through tilted and twisted vertebrae. What often occurs is pinched or compressed nerves, leading to pain. These subluxations can lead to a number of ailments throughout the body.
Not only can chiropractic care help your back and neck pain, but we can treat issues such as headaches, whiplash and help to prevent future injury.
A Look At The Numbers
According to this study with PubMed, “patients with spinal pain who saw a chiropractor had half the risk of filling an opioid prescription. Among those who saw a chiropractor within 30 days of diagnosis, the reduction in risk was greater as compared with those with their first visit after the acute phase.”
According to Cleveland University “Recent research has found that one day of opioid usage carried a 6% chance of being on opioids one year later. After eight days of use, that chance increased to 13.5%, and after 31 days of use, the chance spiked to nearly 30%.”
A study by BMC Family Practice found that many patients did not know the potential of how the care of acupuncture and chiropractic treatment could help their pain. The study shows that more education and better accessibility to chiropractic care.
Work With Elevate Wellness
We are dedicated to providing the highest quality care chiropractic care and focus on restoring your body to its proper state. Our treatments are non-invasive and we want to help you provide you with relief without pain medication. We offer care for infants, children and adults which is appealing to many because the use of painkillers can be very hard to give to your child.
Using pain killers to treat pain does not have to be the default option anymore. We can provide the best chiropractic treatment, massage or heat therapy to keep you feeling pain free and have the best range of motion.
During your first visit we discuss your health history and talk about what you feel the best treatment is for your body. If you are wanting to feel better and avoid the risk of opioid addiction, we can help.
Elevate Wellness uses proactive chiropractic treatment and spinal decompression that can help you heal from auto accidents, sports related injuries, chronic pain and even help pregnant women with spinal alignment. We want to help discuss your pain and create a treatment plan that works best for you. Contact our office to schedule an appointment today.