Study: Chiropractic Adjustments Preferable to Prescription Opioids for Spinal Pain Management
Since the 1990s, the number of opioids prescribed to patients for the purposes of managing spinal pain have increased exponentially. Unfortunately, the national opioid crisis has shown just how dangerous these prescription drugs can be. In 2016, nearly 116 people experienced fatal opioid overdoses on a daily basis. Those who do not die as a result of opioid use may experience serious side effects that include depression, sexual dysfunction, and addiction. This subsequently shows the dire need for alternative, non-harmful forms of pain relief.
Enter chiropractic care. Approximately 77% of people who saw chiropractic specialists between 2017 and 2018 described the chiropractic care they received as being "very effective." But is chiropractic treatment a viable option for those who experience serious spinal pain?
According to a recent study, the answer is yes. In a randomized clinical trial involving female subjects (who tend to experience the highest prevalence of cervical spine pain), the immediate chemical effects of spinal manipulation were carefully observed. After spinal adjustments were made, subjects experienced immediate anti-inflammatory and analgesic (or pain-relieving) effects.
Blood samples were taken both before and after spinal adjustments were taken in order to observe levels of oxytocin, neurotensin, orexin A, and cortisol. Oxytocin is the chemical known as the "love drug," while orexin A has been shown to decrease pain and stress. Neurotensin is so a naturally produced chemical potent that pharmaceutical companies would like to find out how to synthesize it to create an opioid alternative. After chiropractic care was performed, levels of the majority of these chemicals increased significantly. This suggests that spinal adjustment can provide more powerful and more immediate positive effects on spinal pain -- without any of the regrettable side effects associated with opioid prescriptions.
That said, the effects observed were not long-lasting. In other words, one adjustment won't put a complete stop to your pain. When you visit a chiropractor consistently, you can decrease your pain levels, make your flare-ups less frequent, and even alter your body's biomechanics. Although one chiropractic treatment won't alleviate symptoms forever, they can alleviate them over time. With opioids, you will need to increase medication levels to experience those same effects, which comes with considerable risks.
If you're seeking relief for your spinal pain, it's smart to explore alternative forms of treatment before obtaining a drug prescription. It's entirely possible that you can manage your symptoms through chiropractic visits alone. For more information, please contact us today.
