"CDC
recommends conservative care and alternative options prior to prescription
painkiller treatment."
 |
| www.yes2chiropractic.org |
In response to the new federal guidelines
issued by Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding opioid prescribing, the Foundation for Chiropractic
Progress (F4CP), the voice for the chiropractic profession, notes that many
individuals are prescribed opioids for pain associated with musculoskeletal
conditions, including low back and neck pain. Individuals utilizing opioids may
be unaware of the effectiveness of alternative care, which includes
chiropractic.
“The growing opioid
epidemic is finally gaining the attention it deserves," states Sherry
McAllister, DC, executive vice president, F4CP, referencing a report which
found that in 2014, the increased utilization of opioids led to 28,647 deaths –
or 61 percent of total drug overdose fatalities in the U.S. "Chiropractic
care is a hands-on, non-invasive approach documented to yield improved
clinical outcomes, reduced costs and high levels of patient satisfaction.”
According to a report
published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), spinal manipulative
therapy effectively and significantly reduced pain and improved function for
patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Today, doctors of chiropractic
(DCs) perform 94 percent of spinal manipulations in the U.S. Additionally, an
earlier BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders study
on upper cervical chiropractic care for neck pain, headache, mid-back, and
low back pain concludes that 9.1 out of 10 patients indicated a very high level
of patient satisfaction.
“Collectively, we need
to implement changes across the health care continuum, and the care provided by
a doctor of chiropractic is the key to effectively managing pain and avoiding
opioid drug treatment," adds Dr. McAllister, who notes that Americans
consume 80
percent of the world’s opioid supply, despite comprising less than five
percent of the global population. “Health care providers across all disciplines
should consider safe and effective conservative care options prior to
prescribing addictive and potentially fatal opioids – which have yet to be
deemed effective for long-term pain management.”
Under the new
guidelines, the CDC encourages doctors to utilize conservative care prior to prescription
painkiller treatment, and prescribe painkillers only after considering
non-addictive pain relievers, behavioral changes and alternative options.
Additionally, the CDC recommends doctors prescribe the lowest effective dose
possible, and only continue prescribing the drugs if patients show substantial
improvement.
Doctors of
chiropractic, who receive a minimum of seven years of higher education, are specifically
trained to diagnose, evaluate and provide non-pharmaceutical care and
rehabilitation to individuals suffering from acute and chronic musculoskeletal
pain, headaches and general health concerns.
The F4CP is a
not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the value of
chiropractic care, and cites chiropractic care as an integral part of the
solution in mitigating opioid misuse, abuse and dependency.
Alexis Lignos
Marketing Director at Foundation for Chiropractic Progress
201-641-1911 (52)
For more information about chiropractic care or
to find a doctor in your area, visit: www.F4CP.org/findadoctor.
About Foundation for
Chiropractic Progress
A not-for-profit organization, the
Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) informs and educates the general
public about the value of chiropractic care.
Social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube.
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