Chiropractic Pain Relief vs Opioids

If you are one of the estimated 100 million Americans suffering from chronic pain it may surprise you to know that you do not have to resort to drug therapy for relief. The good news is that treatment provided by doctors of chiropractic has been shown to be superior to the pharmaceutical approach.

Many who deal with ongoing pain of the spine and other musculoskeletal areas have resorted to taking pain killing medication to make it from day to day. Consider the following facts concerning opioid use.

• opioid prescriptions tripled in the United States from 1991 to 2010

• there are more deaths from prescription opioid drugs than from heroin

• 16,000 Americans die each year from opioid overdoses

In a publication sent to its participating physicians in September 2015 UPMC Health Plan details that there has been an increase in opioid related legal actions against physicians. These actions include medical malpractice suits and regulatory actions by State Medical Boards. There is even a growing risk of criminal prosecution. Criminal charges can range from drug trafficking to manslaughter or even murder.

An alternative approach for pain relief is to consider chiropractic care. Chiropractors do not utilize medications, drugs or pharmaceutical agents when treating patients. Instead chiropractors focus on identifying the source and cause of patient's pain and utilize conservative therapeutics. Chiropractors have extensive training in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. In addition their training, treatment and philosophical approach is to employ a hands-on approach to misalignments and abnormal restricted motion of the joints of the spine and extremities called the chiropractic adjustment. Some healthcare specialists use the terms manipulation and chiropractic adjustment interchangeably. Chiropractors also may employ the use of physiological therapeutics such as electrical stimulation, cryotherapy, flexibility and strengthening exercises when treating their patients. Chiropractors are also experts on counseling their patients in all the functional aspects of their life such as proper posture during sleep, work and recreational activities.

There has been a great deal of scientific research that has documented drug-free pain relief by chiropractors for conditions such as lower back pain, sciatica and headaches. Recently a scientific study was shown to help over 300 patients suffering from hip, shoulder or spinal pain by utilizing chiropractic care versus traditional medical treatment. Patients receiving chiropractic therapy had superior results with levels of pain, overall satisfaction and cost-effectiveness.

If you are suffering with acute or chronic mechanical pain such as lower back pain, sciatica, mid back pain, neck pain, headaches, shoulder or hip pain it is worth having an initial consultation with a Doctor of Chiropractic and inquiring as to whether your condition can be helped without the use of drugs and medications.

To schedule an appointment with one of our Doctors of Chiropractic call the Grappin Clinic main office at (941) 426-9551. We have five convenient locations serving the communities of Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice, Arcadia, North Port, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and surrounding areas.

by James Schofield

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9192008