F4CP points to drug-free treatment options as an advisable first choice for pain relief

October 27, 2014 — The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the value of chiropractic care, has called attention to information published online by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), spotlighting the lethal epidemic of opioid painkiller prescribing and the importance of appropriate preventive action by federal and state bodies.

Included online are several methods to prevent overprescribing and increase patients’ accessibility to effective, drug-free treatment options, such as chiropractic care, for pain relief.

“Higher rates of prescribing mean more drug-related fatalities,” Gerard Clum, DC, spokesperson for F4CP, said. “In 2012, U.S. medical providers approved 259 million painkiller prescriptions, translating into 46 deaths per day. As alarming as these numbers are, they will continue to climb until our nation stops turning to prescription painkillers as the first choice for pain relief.”

Municipalities across the nation are taking notice of the latest risk reports related to prescription drugs and positioning themselves on the opposite side of the epidemic. Recently, two counties in California sued five of the world’s largest narcotics manufacturers with accusations of creating the nation’s drug crisis through a “campaign of deception” aimed at boosting sales of potent painkillers, such as OxyContin.

“The proactive actions of California counties and the CDC symbolize a step in the right direction,” Clum said. “However, to spark real change, more influencers need to take similar measures toward ending this toxic epidemic and igniting universal acceptance of conservative methods, such as chiropractic, as a first choice for pain relief.”

Chiropractic care is an evidence-based, drug-free approach for common health concerns and pain relief. Evidence confirms that the care provided by a doctor of chiropractic is often linked with better clinical outcomes, greater patient satisfaction, and noteworthy cost savings. A plethora of reports, including, “Never Only Opioids: The Imperative for Early Integration of Non-Pharmacological Approaches and Practitioners in the Treatment of Patients with Pain”, support the early use of drug-free care for pain relief.

“Protecting ourselves against this ill-fated epidemic needs to be a primary focus,” Clum said. “The first step is increased awareness about treatment risks and better, drug-free options and the second step is action: using drug-free options, such as chiropractic care, first. I expect the transition away from prescription drugs will be tough, but the lives saved along the way will make it worthwhile.”

Source: Foundation for Chiropractic Progress