Tennessee chiropractors at the ready to lend a hand to fight opioid epidemic
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Stopping addiction before it starts. That is how an advocacy organization representing chiropractors across Tennessee says they can play a key role in the fight against the opioid epidemic.
The Tennessee Chiropractic Association (TCA) points to new guidelines from the American College of Physicians (ACP) which recommends an alternative treatment for back pain before medication. Among the recommendations: Implement spinal manipulation and postpone pharmacologic management.
“Prescription opioid abuse that leads to addiction and catastrophic outcomes has become a national crisis and will require a collaborative solution,” said TCA President Dr. R.J. Crawford. “Unfortunately, prescription pain killers are often still recommended first for low back, neck and musculoskeletal pain management. The time could not be better to encourage the health care community to start emphasizing drug-free alternatives.”
The Association notes, however, that the ACP recommendation needs to be implemented by hospitals, medical doctors and insurance companies to make an impact.
“Doctors of chiropractic can make a real difference. It is imperative for other health care providers to work together with them through the referral process to see if a patient’s pain can be relieved without the use of addictive drugs first,” said TCA executive director Tiffany Stevens. “If there is no marked improvement after an appropriate amount of time, the chiropractor will refer the patient back to their medical doctor to look at other options, but many times significant pain management can be achieved through chiropractic care.”
The ACP guideline also recommends patients discuss alternative treatments with their doctor as every patient is different and specific treatment must be geared to the patient’s diagnosis, overall health, lifestyle and risk factors.
To help educate the public on non-pharmacologic options to safely and effectively relieve pain, the TCA is sponsoring Drug Free Pain Management Awareness Month throughout September 2017.
Across Tennessee, members of the Association are working with state task forces, sharing information about drug-free pain management alternatives in their communities and connecting with other health care providers to reach out and remind them they are ready and willing to lend a helping hand.
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Contact: Amy Owsley I (615) 383-6231 | amy@tnchiro.com
For Immediate Release: September 17, 2017
About the TCA
The Tennessee Chiropractic Association (TCA) is a dynamic advocate for chiropractic, driven to support all of Tennessee’s licensed chiropractic physicians, their practices, and the patients they represent. As an association, the TCA works toward equal recognition and participation for chiropractic in government health care programs, in private insurance plans, and in all other health care arenas which impact the delivery of health care to the people of Tennessee. For more information about the TCA and to Find a Doctor of Chiropractic near you, visit www.TNChiro.com.