According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, an average of 115 overdose deaths related to opiate use occur daily. Prescription opiates are at the root of the problem; though doctors provide them to treat painful conditions, patients often abuse them. For back or neck discomfort, chiropractic care is typically a good substitute for potentially harmful pain medications. Gateway Chiropractic Center in Crossville, TN, discusses how effective non-drug interventions can be.

Chiropractic Care Can Reduce Opioid Use

A study conducted in New Hampshire probing the link between the chiropractic treatment of lower back pain and opioid use shows the positive impact of non-drug methods. Subjects suffering from chronic back pain were split into two groups; those who received chiropractic treatment and those who did not. Patients in the former group saw their opioid use lower by 55%, as compared to those who didn’t receive treatment. While the precise reasons why are not yet known, these findings illustrate how important alternative approaches are to the health care industry.

Why a Conservative Approach Is Best

Health care isn’t just an either-or proposition. Most patients experience the best results when taking a conservative approach to treatments, leaving the most drastic efforts for last. In fact, the American Chiropractic Association proposed such a method to the health care industry at large. In a statement given in Washington, D.C., these medical professionals urged health care providers to look into non-pharmacologic methods of pain management, including physical therapy and chiropractic care.

They also advocated campaigns encouraging patients to seek non-opiate treatments for pain conditions when speaking with medical staff. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also backs this move, and in 2016 they released guidelines stating the importance of medical interventions that don’t involve drugs when fighting the opioid epidemic.

For pain relief, chiropractic care is relatively free of harmful side effects. As such, the team at Gateway Chiropractic Center recommends it to Crossville patients in lieu of addictive and possibly harmful opiates. If you want to schedule an appointment at this trusted clinic, call (931) 484-3135 today. To see the complete listing of services they offer, including chiropractic adjustments, visit the website.