Lest there be any doubt that we’re in the midst of an opioid abuse crisis, we now have a month that has been declared “Drug-Free Pain Management Awareness Month.” (It’s September for those who are curious.)
Lost in the headlines over the sheer number of deaths from overdoses of the drugs—more than 90 Americans each day—is how all too many patients’ downward spiral began with what must have seemed like a routine initial doctor’s prescription for painkillers like OxyContin.
“It’s become a sadly common story,” NPR reported. “People get prescribed painkillers. They become addicted. And then they seek out cheaper and morepotent drugs like heroin and synthetic opioids.”
The designation comes from the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress and makes perfect sense. Many health experts have long backed a “chiropractic-first” approach—arguing that it was an effective, safer way of addressing many patients’ spine and joint-related pain.
Still others got on board after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year finally
began urging physicians to use alternatives to opioids and the American College of Physicians recommended spinal manipulation.
Next September you can expect to see a series of nationwide events— open to the public, state
legislators, and healthcare professionals—that will highlight the value of chiropractic for seniors, athletes, pregnant women, military veterans, and other pain sufferers. For more information, visit www.drugfreepaincare.org.
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