Bottom Line:
For decades, opioids were marketed as a “safer” alternative to treat chronic pain.
And as the number of people seeking care for chronic pain began to rise, so did the number of people filling prescriptions for highly addictive opioids.
If you’ve ever wondered “What is the opioid crisis?” – that’s the simple answer.
However, what many don’t realize is that what we currently refer to as the opioid crisis started as a chronic pain epidemic.
Why it Matters:
Over the past few years, major healthcare agencies have recognized that non-pharmacological approaches should be the first line of care to manage chronic pain.
The best way to combat the opioid crisis is to focus on non-pharmacological solutions to the chronic pain epidemic.
And recent studies have indicated that there are more than a few reasons to be hopeful.
These studies have shown that non-drug treatment options, such as chiropractic, can be very effective at helping people reduce the development and recurrence of chronic pain.
Even study participants with severe chronic pain reported experiencing significant benefits from the chiropractic care they received.
Next Steps:
While we can’t undo the damage that has been done, we can learn from the past.
This recent and unprecedented shift to a primarily non-pharmacological based approach to pain management is a start.
And if you’ve been looking for a pain chiropractor in Santa Fe, look no further.
Our practice is proud to partner with other healthcare providers who support a natural approach to pain management.
We’ll work together to overcome your chronic pain without the dangerous side effects and addiction issues others have experienced with opioid medications.
Science Sources:
Prevalence of Chronic Low Back Pain. Rev Saude Publica. 2015.
Chiropractic for Low-Back Pain. J Altern Complement Med. 2008.