Prescription drugs can provide welcome relief for patients with chronic pain—but there is a dark side. Powerful opiates can be addictive and can even result in death; in fact, on average 46 Americans die every day from prescription painkiller overuse. The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress is taking a stand to help educate the public on chiropractic, a drug-free treatment choice that can help slow the epidemic of painkiller overuse.
The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the value of chiropractic care, calls attention to information published online by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), spotlighting the lethal epidemic of opioid painkiller prescribing and 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,” states Gerard Clum, D.C., spokesperson, F4CP. “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 pro-active actions of California counties and the CDC symbolize a step in the right direction,” says Dr. Clum. “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,” says Dr. Clum. “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.”
About Foundation for Chiropractic Progress
A not-for-profit organization, the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress aims to inform and educate the general public about the many benefits associated with chiropractic care. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit us on the web at www.f4cp.com or call 866-901-F4CP (3427).
- See more at: http://www.phschiropractic.com/learn/blog/drug-free-treatments-are-advisable-first-choice-for-pain-relief.aspx#sthash.bvCXs2Ii.dpuf
