Is Chiropractic Care the Answer to Opioids?

By Randi Morse

It's not something we like to talk about but it's hard to deny the fact that the United States is dealing with an opioid epidemic. Opioids have become a huge problem in the United States and are the cause of a great deal of suffering, frustration, and sadness. One of the more frustrating aspects of the opioid crisis is trying to figure out how to prevent it from getting worse. Experts are frantically working on how to help those currently addicted battle their disease, but is there anything we can do to help prevent others  from getting addicted to opioid medications?

Because of Pain

A large number of people who are addicted to opioids started their journey by being in pain. Doctors were very quick to get out highly addictive pain medication, mainly because it worked. And it's true, prescription opioids are a good option for people who are dealing with recovering from surgery or some other acute, painful situation. But are opioids really the best solution for those patients dealing with chronic pain?

How Do Opioids Work?

When you are prescribed opioid medication, it is because you are dealing with such a high level of pain that it can affect how your body reacts, including raising your blood pressure and heart rate. Doctors prescribe this medication to help your body avoid dealing with this level of pain. Opioid medications work by binding the pain receptors in your brain. This prevents them from receiving any sort of pain signals that your body is trying to send. This is a problem for a number of reasons starting with the fact that if your brain is unable to receive pain messages, your body is unable to tell you exactly what hurts and how badly it hurts. You can't fix a situation unless you know the full extent of it and blocking the pain prevents you from addressing the underlying cause of the problem. 

Chiropractic Solution

Chiropractic care is a holistic approach dealing with the functions in your body. This includes helping the body to heal, and repair, problems that may cause pain. The experienced chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic want their patients to be able to function without pain but also without getting addicted to pain medication. If you are dealing with chronic pain, take advantage of the open office hours and affordable rates of The Joint Chiropractic office to see how a chiropractor can help relieve your pain without the use of highly addictive pain medication.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Austin, Tex.