Benefits of Chiropractic Care over Opioids

 This is a short video from the Illinois Chiropractic Society on the benefits of chiropractic care over opioids.

CHIROPRACTIC SAVES (OPIOID CRISIS)

Spinal Manipulative Therapy Far Safer than Opioids for Chronic Low Back Pain

New study from the April edition of the prestigious Spine Journal finds spinal manipulation (adjustments) significantly safer than opioids for treating chronic low back pain. Patients who received spinal manipulation first were 42 times less likely to experience an adverse drug reaction than patients who were first prescribed opioid drugs.

 Foundation for Chiropractic ProgressApplaudsSpineStudy Showing Spinal Manipulative Therapy FarSafer than Opioids for Chronic Low Back Pain

Chiropractic Care Significantly Reduces Risk of Opioid Prescribing

Study from the March issue of Pain Medicine Journal using claim data from three states found that patients with spinal pain who saw a chiropractor had half the risk of filling an opioid prescription.
Impact of Chiropractic Care on Use of Prescription Opioids in Patients with Spinal Pain

More Payers Backing Chiropractic Care in 2020

This article from a website for the managed care industry states that many insurance plans including the military plan Tricare will be increasing coverage for chiropractic care after many studies now showing it reduces costs, reduces surgeries, and reduces opioid prescriptions.
Are you so surprised that this has taken so long?
Chiropractic care is becoming a method more recognized as a way to better treat patients and avoid pharmacological pain management methods.

More Payers Backing Chiropractic Care in 2020

JAMA Study: Opioids No Better Than Nonopioids in Improving Pain-Related Function, Intensity for Chronic Back Pain, Hip/Knee OA

Another comparison study showing no differences in long term outcomes using opioids vs non-opioid drugs for chronic back pain, hip/knee osteoarthritis.
I have seen several of these comparison studies showing no better outcomes in the opioid groups. Does this surprise anyone?JAMA Study: Opioids No Better Than Nonopioids in Improving Pain-Related Function, Intensity for Chronic Back Pain, Hip/Knee OA

Using chiropractors to reduce lower back pain

Here is a recent video interview of a professor from Logan Chiropractic College. He notes that the average age of the onset of back disorders is 32 and unfortunately the average age to begin chiropactic care is 47. He also mentions the recent study showing that in a chiropractic treatment group there was a 49% reduction in opioid use.
Using chiropractors to reduce lower back pain

VA Study Finds Chiropractic Linked to Lower Opiate Usage

A recent Veteran's Administration study published in the Pain Medicine Journal found that veterans who received chiropractic treatment had a significantly lower usage of opiates after their chiropractic visits compared to non-chiropractic patients.
Opioids can sometimes be beneficial, but in some cases other treatments can be more appropriate. Do you think it would be beneficial to get veterans better access to chiropractic and other non drug treatments?

VA Study Finds Chiropractic Linked to Lower Opiate Usage

To Combat Opioids, Missouri Medicaid Opens Access to Chiropractic

Missouri has announced that access to chiropractic services and other non-drug pain treatments will now be made available in the state's Medicaid program to help diminish the use of opioids and provide relief for those suffering from chronic pain. 
Illinois cut out coverage of chiropractic services a number of years ago. Do you think it might be a good idea to reinstate chiropractic coverage here in Illinois?To Combat Opioids, Missouri Medicaid Opens Access to Chiropractic

House Introduces Bill to Expand Chiropractic Access to Military Retirees, Families

A bill introduced last week in the House of Representatives and would expand access to chiropractic services to military retirees, dependents and survivors through the Department of Defense TRICARE health program.
It would also establish, in the wake of the nationwide opioid crisis, an important non-drug option for pain management in the program.
Do you think this would be beneficial for the military and their families?
House Introduces Bill to Expand Chiropractic Access to Military Retirees, Families

Commonly prescribed drugs for back pain often ineffective, review says

Now that opioid (narcotic) prescribing is coming under more scrutiny, many medical physicians are starting to prescribe drugs known as gabapentinoids for back pain. These are drugs that were approved for seizures and nerve pain. There is no research showing they are efffective for back disorders and they can have negative side effects. 
Why are these being prescribed off label for back pain?
Commonly prescribed drugs for back pain often ineffective, review says

Chiropractic Instead of Opioids: Million-Patient Study

A study published last year involving more than 12,000 LBP patients, found that patients who visited a chiropractor were 55 percent less likely to fill an opioid (narcotic) prescription. Another much larger study will be starting shortly and published within 18 months. 
Do you see increased chiropractic utilization helping to decrease the amount of opioid prescribing?Chiropractic Instead of Opioids: Million-Patient Study

FDA proposes that doctors learn about acupuncture for pain management

The Food and Drug Administration released proposed changes Wednesday to its blueprint on educating health care providers about treating pain. The guidelines now recommend that doctors get information about chiropractic care and acupuncture as therapies that might help patients avoid prescription opioids.
Do you think this is a good recommendation to help patients avoid opioid (narcotic drugs)?

FDA proposes that doctors learn about chiropractic and acupuncture for pain management

American College of Physicians new low back pain treatment guidelines

The new guidelines for low back pain by the American College of Physicians (national society of the internists) recommends first using non-invasive, non-drug treatments before resorting to drug therapies.
ACP’s guidelines, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, cite spinal manipulation (a centerpiece of chiropractic care), heat therapy, massage, acupuncture as possible options for non-invasive, non-drug therapies for low back pain.
Only when such treatments provide little or no relief, the guidelines state, should patients move on to medicines such as ibuprofen or muscle relaxants, which research indicates have limited pain-relief effects. 
The chiropractic profession has long advocated for doctors and patients to use a more conservative approach to treating low back pain. Do you agree on this approach?

American Chiropractic Association Applauds Low Back Pain Guidelines Advocating Non-Drug Treatments First

Ibuprofen for people with back pain has no significant effect - new study

Earlier research has shown that acetominophen (Tylenol) is not effective for back pain and opioid (narcotic) drugs are only minimally effective (with significant possible side effects). 
Now a new study from the University of Sydney and published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases which reviewed 35 previous studies on more than 6,000 showed no significant clinical benefit of ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin)
I have said for many years that if the pain meds worked as advertised, I would have many less patients in my clinic.
Would this info change you decision to get chiropractic or physical therapy treatment if you had a back issue in the future?

Ibuprofen for people with back pain has no significant effect - new study