Patient Advice: Military Veterans and Managing Chronic Pain

http://blog.aapainmanage.org/comprehensive-pain-management-incorporating-complementary-and-integrative-medicine-the-military-medicine-experience/

Chiropractic Care - Get the Facts!

Did you know? Chiropractic care is a safe, effective first option for pain management: back, neck, acute or chronic neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, and headaches – among other conditions. #ThinkChiropractic

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.

Niel-Asher Technique for Frozen Shoulder [1]

The Niel-Asher Technique™ is a 'natural' method of treatment that utilizes the body's own healing mechanisms. No drugs, no surgery.

The technique uses a specific and unique sequence of manipulations and pressure points to the shoulder joints and soft-tissues. In essence, these can be thought of as 'inputs' into the nervous system.

The technique has been in use since 1997 and has been adopted and approved by Doctors, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, and Chiropractors in the UK, Europe, and the United States.

NAT works with the body, listening to the body's wisdom - not by forcing the arm into the restricted ranges but by applying gentle stimulation to muscles whilst they are resting.[1]

- See more at: http://www.frozenshoulder.com/NAT#sthash.Cshgkm61.dpuf

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[1] Asher, Simeon Niel. "NAT - Treatment Topography." The Niel-Asher Technique. Niel Asher Healthcare Ltd., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2016. .

Sports and Chiropractic Care

Sports and Chiropractic Care

Trigger Points Explained

VA Research Update: Back Pain Treatments

This article appears in the Spring 2015 edition of Veterans’ Wellness - A Guide to Healthy Living for Veterans in Upstate New York[1]

Back pain - specifically lower back pain - is very common among Veterans and causes significant disability. Given the prevalence of this condition, the Canandaigua VA Medical Center is carrying out three studies to help identify effective treatments.

Results of two of the studies, which involved 380 Veterans from the Greater Rochester area, were recently published in the journals Chiropractic &Manual Therapies  and Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation. The third study is expected to be completed in December, according to Paul Dougherty, DC, staff chiropractor and chiropractic residency director at Canandaigua VA Medical Center and Institutional Review Board chair at Syracuse VA Medical Center.

“Our research so far shows that treatments including spinal manipulative therapy and active exercise can relieve lower back pain,” Dougherty says. In spinal manipulative therapy, a chiropractor applies pressure to the spine to promote movement in spinal joints that are not moving well. Active exercise is exercise patients perform on their own at a doctor’s direction.

Another finding is that fear of pain may actually make back pain worse. “It is important that people with lower back pain continue to remain active and engaged in their lives and not let the pain defeat them,” he says. “If you are suffering from lower back pain, talk to your VA provider about what treatment alternatives are best for you.”

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[1] DeLancey, Darlene A., M.S., and Kathleen Hider, eds. "VA Research Update: Back Pain Treatments." Veterans' Wellness Spring 2015: 11. Print.