A holistic approach to opioid addiction means caring for the mind, body, and soul. In recent years, the rise in opioid addiction has been tied to the increase in opioid drug prescriptions by physicians as a method in treating moderate to severe back pain. These medications do not treat the condition as much as they simply cover the pain. Even if someone who is experiencing this kind of pain goes through medical detox, it is still going to be important to find a treatment plan to manage the discomfort or they will just end up in the same situation that they were prior to their opioid addiction. Chiropractic care can not only help with the detox process but may also help address the underlying issue that led to prescription opioid use in the beginning.
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Chiropractic Care and Pain Relief
There are a few different ways that back pain can be addressed, ranging from massage to surgery. However, there is rarely and intervention that can guarantee long term success. Even surgery is not always successful on top of the fact that it is expensive and involves a significant recovery period. Chiropractic therapy is an alternative option that has been shown to help many people eliminate or reduce pain associated with the spine. Although not every person is a candidate for chiropractic care, it is an option to help many people avoid surgery, other invasive procedures, and addictive prescription medications. An alignment can actually address the issues that lead to back pain and eliminate the need for prescription opioid drugs.
Research on Eliminating Opioid Use with Chiropractic Therapy
One meta-analysis reported numbers on chiropractic patients who sought help with muscular-skeletal conditions that were causing them pain. These individuals were almost half as likely to be prescribed opioid pain killers compare to those who when to non-chiropractic care providers for treatment of the same conditions.
Another study looked at the use of chiropractic alignments specifically for treating lower back pain and how it correlates with prescription opioid use. The hypothesis of the study was that “Pain relief resulting from services delivered by doctors of chiropractic may allow patients to use lower or less frequent doses of opioids, leading to reduced risk of adverse effects.” The results of the study showed that recipients of chiropractic care were 55% less likely to fill an opioid painkiller prescription.
Chiropractic Therapy During Detox & Addiction Treatment
When seeking treatment for opioid addiction that is rooted in pain pill prescriptions, treating the root issue is paramount to recovery. For those who started taking prescription opioid medications to treat back pain, a doctor of chiropractic therapy may be able to help eliminate or reduce this pain so that you can detox with the comfort that sobriety does not necessarily mean a lifetime of pain. Additionally, a chiropractic alignment can help progress the detox process.
This alternative drug treatment option is offered at Level Up Lake Worth to all patients that are good candidates for chiropractic therapy as per their physician. If you or a loved one suffers from back pain and has developed an addiction any type of opioid drugs (illicit or prescription) to manage the pain, access to spine alignments at an alternative addiction treatment center may be key to success in recovery. Call our admissions office to get started today.
FAQs About Back Pain, Opioid Addiction, and Chiropractic Care
How can treating back pain lead to a drug problem?
When someone hurts their back, the pain can be very sharp. To help, doctors sometimes give them strong pain pills called opioids. These pills work well to turn off pain signals in the brain for a little while, but they also give the brain a “happy” feeling. A big problem can start when the brain begins to like that happy feeling too much. The person might start taking the pills even when they don’t hurt, which can lead to addiction.
Why are pain pills risky for bad back pain?
Pills only hide the pain. They do not fix the injury that is causing the hurt. Also, if a person takes these pills for more than a few weeks, their body gets used to them. This means they will need to take more and more pills just to get the same relief. Looking at back pain, opioid addiction, and chiropractic care shows that relying only on pills can actually make a person feel more sensitive to pain over time.
What is chiropractic care?
A chiropractor is a special doctor who focuses on fixing problems with your bones, muscles, and joints, especially in your spine. Instead of using pills or surgery, they use their hands to gently move and adjust your back. This helps put your spine back in place, lowers swelling, and helps your body heal itself naturally. It treats the real cause of the hurt instead of just hiding it.
How does a chiropractor help people avoid pills?
When someone chooses chiropractic care, they are choosing a path to healing that does not use drugs. By using hand adjustments to relieve pressure on tight nerves and sore muscles, the pain naturally starts to go away. In the big picture of back pain, opioid addiction, and chiropractic care, getting fast relief without a prescription pad means a person never has to take the risk of using dangerous pain pills in the first place.
Can this care help someone who is recovering from addiction?
Yes! For someone who has beaten a drug addiction but still has back pain, finding safe relief is very important. Taking even one pain pill could cause a major setback. Seeing a chiropractor gives them a safe, healthy way to handle their pain. It helps break the old habit of reaching for a pill whenever their body hurts, allowing them to protect their recovery while still getting relief.
Is chiropractic care safe for everyone?
For most people, it is very safe and helpful. However, a chiropractor will always start by asking about your health history. They might even take a picture of your bones to make sure it is the right choice for you. When you look at back pain, opioid addiction, and chiropractic care, the goal is always to find the safest way to keep your body moving, your spine healthy, and your life free from dangerous substances.