Chiropractic Care Can Help Fight the Opioid Crisis
By Paul Rothbart
The pharmaceutical industry has provided physicians with some very useful drugs for use in treatment of ailments and maintaining good health. As much an up side as they have, drugs also have their downside. Side effects are common in most medications, some quite problematic. Another issue is the possibility of addiction. The problem can destroy the life of the addict as well as the family. Opioids are perhaps the most addictive of any drug. Careful management of dosage and length of use is vital in avoiding addiction. But another, even more effective way to prevent patients from getting hooked, is using treatments that do not utilize drugs. Chiropractic care is at the forefront of drug-free pain treatment and management.
The Opioid Crisis Is a Major Problem
Make no mistake, opioid addiction is a very real problem and quite common. The CDC estimates that as many as one in four people who use pain killers will become addicted. Considering the thousands of patients who are prescribed painkilling drugs, that is a large number of addiction problems. In fact, over 1,000 people are treated daily in emergency rooms for misusing prescription painkillers. When prescriptions run out, people turn to other options such as buying heroin on the street. At this point, the danger is elevated by magnitudes.
Problems Other Than Addiction
Addiction is not the only potential problem that using opioids can create. Overdoses are the most obvious of these other issues. Too much of any painkiller can be deadly. Another more subtle problem is the fact that opioids numb pain. But pain does serve a purpose. It lets us know that something is wrong. It's how we know to avoid certain activities and to seek medical treatment. Lacking the ability to feel the pain, people who use opioids may feel the problem is healed and make it far worse by doing too much.
Chiropractic Care as an Alternative
When it comes to alternative treatment methods for pain caused, it's hard to beat chiropractic care. Drug-free and non-invasive, this option has proven to be quite effective in easing many types of body pain. Regular visits to a licensed chiropractor can prevent the recurrence of injuries, thus keeping pain under control. One of the most common problems is chronic low back pain. A growing body of evidence gleaned from studies conducted by respected health care organizations shows the effectiveness of chiropractic care in the treatment and prevention of back and joint pain. No side effects, no risk of addiction or overdose. For many people, chiropractic is the best way to treat this chronic pain.
Opioid addiction is a serious problem with no easy solution. Chiropractors can be a part of the solution. Before turning to drugs, pay a visit to The Joint Chiropractic and let a licensed chiropractor show you an alternative method of treatment that may be perfect for you.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor in Houston, Tex.