Bottom Line:
There is no question that opioids are powerful painkillers. The problem is they are also highly addictive and don’t actually fix the cause of your pain. But, if you’re struggling with chronic pain, you may be curious about your best care options. How can you fix the cause of your pain, find lasting relief, and avoid these harmful medications?

Why It Matters:
You may be surprised to discover that people who saw a chiropractor for spine pain had half the risk of filling an opioid prescription than those who didn’t. It’s not just that chiropractors don’t prescribe these dangerous medications. As time passed, most people were not likely to fill an opioid prescription at all. That indicates the care provided by chiropractors helped people find enough relief that they no longer sought medications to find relief!

• Choosing chiropractic for spinal pain can reduce your risk of filling an opioid prescription by over 50%
• Masking spine pain with medications can possibly increase your risk of further injury
• Movement-based care helps your body heal and can improve your likelihood of finding long-term relief

Next Steps:
Opioids aren’t meant to treat chronic spinal pain. They don’t help your body heal and become less effective at stopping pain the longer you take them. Instead of building up a tolerance and putting yourself at risk for dependence, it’s a smart decision to explore other treatment options. Call us today if you’ve struggled with chronic pain; our practice is proud to help our community find relief from pain without the need for drugs.

Science Source(s):
(1) Impact of Chiropractic Care on Use of Prescription Opioids in Patients with Spinal Pain. 2020