Chiropractic: A safe alternative to opioids for pain

In the wake of the recent opioid epidemic, the FDA has recommended chiropractic care and has proposed changes to the way it educates health care providers on treating pain. In a proposal released in May, it was stated that health care providers, “should be knowledgeable about the range of available therapies, when they may be helpful and when they should be used as part of a multidisciplinary approach to pain management.” The changes in the FDA guidelines recommend medical doctors obtain information about chiropractic care to help patients avoid prescription opioids.

In 2016, a clinical trial consisting of 280 patients with low back pain for a duration of two weeks or longer was conducted and published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. The study found that spinal manipulation was 300 percent more effective than muscle relaxants and its pain-reducing effects were equal to oxycodone. Spinal manipulation is a safe procedure whereas oxycodone is directly related to over 15,000 deaths annually. Reliance on pain medications has become widespread and millions of Americans are suffering from the consequences associated with these medications.

Chiropractic has been widely recognized as a safe and non-invasive therapy and is found to be beneficial for the entire family. In our office, chiropractic care is adapted to the individual patient, and in the care of the elderly or children, it is very gentle. In a 2015 Gallup report commissioned by Palmer College of Chiropractic, it was reported that more than 33.6 million Americans sought chiropractic care in 2014 compared to 20.6 million in 2012.

In the Annuals of Internal Medicine, it shows that chiropractors are used more often than any other alternative provider group and patient satisfaction is very high. According to the Palmer College of Chiropractic inaugural report, Americans’ perception of chiropractic is improving and we are seeing a positive rise in utilization. In our office, we want you to feel comfortable about your decision to choose chiropractic care and will thoroughly discuss the examination process and specific treatment plan for you. To schedule an appointment, call 208-966-4425.

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Dr. Wayne M. Fichter Jr. is a chiropractor at Natural Spine Solutions. The business is located at 3913 Schreiber Way in Coeur d’Alene, 208-966-4425.