Several non-pharmacological therapies — including spinal manipulation, therapeutic exercise, and relaxation techniques — are typically offered by chiropractors, and are recommended as first-line or adjunctive therapy for spinal pain. The utilization of chiropractic care has been reported to be associated with reduced risk of adverse drug events in adults with spinal pain. Large scale observational studies have found that chiropractic care is associated with decreased use of opioids.

Among more than 101,000 adults with back pain in three contiguous New England states, the risk of filling a prescription for an opioid analgesic over a six-year period was reduced by half for recipients of chiropractic care, and the reduction in risk was greater among those who sought chiropractic care early in the course of treatment.

In a cohort study of more than 216,000 adults with lower back pain, patients who received initial treatment from chiropractors had lower odds of short-term and long-term opioid use. Finally, a systematic review of six studies including a total of 62,624 subjects with spinal pain found that recipients of chiropractic care had 64% lower odds of receiving an opioid prescription as compared to non-recipients.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com