ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Alternative to opioid use

According to the CDC, from February 2018 to February 2019 an estimated 69,029 people died of a drug overdose. Nearly 7 out of the 10 of these overdose deaths were due to opioids. Nearly half of the overdose deaths were due to fentanyl or other synthetic opioids, 22% were due to heroin, and 23% were due to cocaine. It is important to realize that it is not only about the loss of lives, but the economic toll opioid addiction has on our communities. We spend approximately $78 billion dollars a year to fight opioid addiction.

A study in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that 60% of the opioid overdoses were in individuals who were first prescribed these drugs for chronic pain relief. Over half of those patients were prescribed painkillers for chronic back pain and 24% for chronic headaches. There are tremendous financial and social costs attributed to the opioid epidemic and we must begin to look at natural, healthy ways to treat back and neck pain. The medical community now realizes that narcotics should not be the first choice of treatment for these conditions

Chiropractic takes a totally different approach to pain by looking at the root cause of the problem rather than simply masking or covering up the symptoms. Remember: painkillers do not repair damaged tissue; they simply stop the brain from processing pain leaving the underlying condition unaddressed which is causing the pain cycle. If the underlying condition is not addressed and normal function is not restored to the body, the pain will continue or return which results in the need for more pain killers and the viscous cycle continues.

Multiple studies have found that chiropractic care is equally if not more effective than medical care for a variety of conditions, including neck and back pain, sciatica, headaches, and even scoliosis. And since chiropractors do not prescribe medications, patients do not have to worry about the negative side effects that come with these medications…including addiction. A study out of Southern California University found that chiropractic patients had a 55% lower chance of using opioids than patients being treated solely with standard medical treatment. We must explore alternative options when dealing with such addictive medications.

It is obvious that we have a public health crisis and need to address this situation by providing non-addictive alternatives to chronic pain in the United States. Too many people are prescribed opiates for pain, when there are other solutions that are equally effective and provide a safer option. According to some recent studies, chiropractic can play a major role in helping these patients regain their quality of life.

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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.