Chiropractic, Opioids and Low Back Pain

The opioid epidemic continues with rising numbers of people becoming addicted and more overdoses occurring; yet, there has not been a significant benefit in clinical outcomes and back pain continues to be one of the most common health complaints.

There are some however, in the research field, who are working to provide data on methods of care that are making a difference in the use and abuse of opioids for pain relief.  Researchers in Southern California studied the association between chiropractic care and prescription opioid usage for patients with low back pain.  They gathered records from the New Hampshire All-payer Claims Database.  They included records for patients who had an office visit for low back pain 2 or more times within 90 days.  Records were divided by those who did and those who did not receive chiropractic care.  They then compared the frequency of prescription opioids that were filled and the associated cost.

They found that patients who received chiropractic care were 55% less likely to fill a prescription for opioids when compared to their peers who did not receive chiropractic care.  Additionally, they found the “average per person charges for clinical services” were “also significantly lower” for the patients who received chiropractic care.

If you are experiencing low back pain, try #chiropractic1st!  Proven effectiveness makes it a solid choice both for managing pain, as well as keeping the financial side of treatment in check, before resorting to prescription medications or costly surgery.

You can find a doctor near you who can help you manage pain and live a healthy lifestyle.  Simply click here to go to our easy to use doctor locator page.

 

SOURCE: “Association between Utilization of Chiropractic Services and Use of Prescription Opioids among Patients with Low Back Pain”. James Whedon DC, MS

http://clinicalcompass.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/NH-Opioids_Whedon.pdf