F4CP Lauds CDC Opioid Prescribing Guidelines, Chiropractic is Safer, Non-Drug Approach for Pain Relief

"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)

alexis@f4cp.com

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.

Visit www.f4cp.com; www.yes2chiropractic.org; call 866-901-F4CP(3427). 

Social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube.

Good News Regarding Back Pain

Eugene Carragee, MD (et al), Chief of the Surgical Division at Stanford Hospital and Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Stanford University Medical Center published the findings of a five year observational study in the Nov-Dec 2006 edition of The Spine Journal. The study involved 200 subjects who had no lifetime history of Low Back Pain (LBP) but were at high risk for new LBP episodes. At the outset of the study each subject was given a physical exam and underwent both x-ray and MRI studies. Subjects were assessed every six months for five years via a detailed phone interview and those experiencing any new severe LBP underwent new MRI studies within 6-12 weeks of the onset of their symptoms. All subsequent MRIs were then compared to those taken at the outset of the study. Carragee, et al made the following conclusions:

• Individuals who experience minor trauma (motor vehicle collision, minor fall, lifting injury, etc.) are at NO increased risk for long term problems as long as the injury is rehabbed properly

• Degenerative changes exhibited on MRI DOES NOT increase the risk for long term problems

• Individuals with a “heavy job” are likely to experience persistent, minor LBP but they ARE NOT at increased risk for significant LBP or disability, especially if they do not have high fear beliefs regarding their job duties.

• The vast majority of patients experiencing low back injury exhibit NO CHANGE on MRI

- Essential Messages

• We want to overcome pain not “get rid of it”

• DON’T avoid activity; activity IS GOOD

• LBP although inconvenient and at times very painful can be OVERCOME

• Return to work IS therapy

            ~ You don’t get better in order to go back to work. You go back to work in order to get better!

            ~ Some pain upon returning to activity IS NORMAL