Why are Opioids so Dangerous?
It’s estimated that over 200 million opioid prescriptions are written each year. This use and abuse has led to an epidemic that’s been fueled by chronic pain. Opioids temporarily hide pain by attaching to receptors in the brain and boosting feelings of pleasure. Unfortunately, they do nothing to stimulate healing, leading to a pattern of pain, medications, more pain, and more medications. The good news is that there is a better way to find relief.
The Addictive Nature of Opioids
Opioids are in the same family of drugs as heroin, and some opioid medications are thought to be even more addictive. The temporary relief that they offer comes at a steep price. In lower doses, opioids can cause drowsiness or dizziness. In higher doses, they can cause your breathing and heart rate to slow down to dangerous levels. But the most dangerous aspect of opioids is the addiction rate of up to 30%.
- Opioids bind to the receptions in your nervous system that block pain and produce intense euphoria
- Tolerance on opioids can occur within a matter of days
- Withdrawal symptoms are severe and can lead to addiction
Nearly all the latest healthcare guidelines have stopped recommending opioids for non-cancer pain. In most cases, these drugs should not be taken for long-term chronic pain management. To find relief without these dangerous drugs, call us today. We’ll schedule a complete evaluation to discover the cause of your pain, then find ways to help you get back on your feet.
Finding Relief Without Opioids
There is no question that opioids are powerful pain killers. The problem is they are also highly addictive and don’t actually fix the cause of your pain. But, if you’re struggling with chronic pain, you may be curious what your best options are for care. How can you fix the cause of your pain, find lasting relief, and avoid these harmful medications?
Lasting Relief and Healing through Chiropractic
You may be surprised to discover the people who saw a chiropractor for spine pain had half the risk of filling an opioid prescription than those who didn’t. It’s not just that chiropractors don’t prescribe these dangerous medications. As time went on, people were not likely to fill an opioid prescription. That indicates the care provided by chiropractors helped people find enough relief that they no longer sought medications to find relief!
- Choosing chiropractic for spinal pain can reduce your risk of filling an opioid prescription by over 50%
- Masking spine pain with medications can possibly increase your risk of further injury
- Movement-based care helps the body heal and can improve your likelihood of finding long term relief
Opioids aren’t meant to treat chronic spinal pain. They don’t help your body heal and become less effective at stopping pain the longer you take them. Instead of building up a tolerance and putting yourself at risk for dependence, it’s a smart decision to explore other treatment options like non-invasive regenerative pain therapy. Call us today to schedule an evaluation so that we can create a personalized treatment plan for you! Our practice is proud to help our community find relief from pain without the need for drugs.
Exposing the Truth Behind Opioids
The truth will set you free. While much of the information about how the opioid epidemic is shocking, it’s important to understand how we got here. For example, when we first learned that 35 billion opioids (half of all the distributed pills) were handled by about 15% of pharmacies, it became clear that there was a network of “pill mills” that weren’t concerned about helping people actually find relief from their chronic pain.
A Dependence on Opioids
Chronic pain is a real issue for tens of millions of people each day. In many of these cases, the answer isn’t found in a pill but rather with a combination of movement-based treatments. Your body heals through motion. Taking medications may provide temporary relief, but they don’t address the cause of your pain.
Nearly everyone who takes opioids for an extended time becomes dependent. We think it’s a smart idea to avoid the risks.
- In 2016, over 91 million people used prescription opioids
- The rates of emergency department visits involving opioids more than tripled from 1999 to 2013
- Over 16 million people currently suffer from an opioid use disorder
In the 1990s, many healthcare providers were encouraged to prescribe opioids for pain management after aggressive marketing campaigns downplayed the risks of long-term use. As a result, these medications were often prescribed for mild to moderate pain and continued indefinitely without a clear plan for tapering. This combination contributed to the opioid epidemic we continue to face today. Fortunately, there are other options. The first step is understanding the facts about opioids and chronic pain. The next is exploring drug-free pain recovery approaches and connecting with a movement-based practice, like ours, to discover personalized strategies that support long-term health and function without relying solely on medication.
Taking a Stand Against Opioids
About 30 years ago, medicine had a shift in how they thought pain should be addressed. “Pain is a 5th vital sign” became a rallying cry, and new medications were created to block pain…at all costs. They now know that these medications created a never-before-seen healthcare epidemic. To begin with, the drugs weren’t very good at addressing chronic pain, and they require larger and larger doses to achieve an effect over time.
Don't Wait to Get Care
Taking a stand against opioids starts with our ability to help people find relief from chronic pain. Nearly all of our primary healthcare organizations have now advocated for a non-drug approach to care. And the data is clear–people are looking for solutions for chronic pain that extend beyond a prescription.
- The Centers for Disease Control (FDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and others have recommended a non-pharmacological approach to chronic pain should be the first line of treatment
- Over 40% of blogs relating to opioids are focused on people trying to find solutions "beyond the pill."
- Together, we can end the opioid crisis by breaking the cycle of chronic pain with natural and effective healthcare choices
Chronic pain is now understood to be a biopsychosocial condition, meaning it is influenced by a combination of physical, neurological, and lifestyle factors. Because no two people experience pain the same way, meaningful progress often begins with a thorough evaluation that considers your health history, goals, movement patterns, and the factors contributing to your symptoms.
At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, we believe personalized, goal-oriented care provides the best foundation for long-term success. Your care plan may include chiropractic care, movement-based rehabilitation, and comprehensive pain recovery support tailored to your individual needs. By focusing on the underlying contributors to pain rather than simply masking symptoms, our goal is to help you move better, recover more confidently, and get back to the activities that matter most.
Common questions
Opioids are prescription medications that may be used to help manage moderate to severe pain in certain situations. They are typically intended for short-term use because long-term use may involve additional risks that should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Depending on the cause of the pain, many people explore conservative approaches such as exercise, physical rehabilitation, chiropractic care, and other movement-based therapies as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. The most appropriate approach depends on your individual condition and healthcare needs.
Chiropractic care may be included as part of a personalized plan to support healthy movement, joint function, and overall physical wellness. Treatment recommendations are based on a thorough evaluation and each person’s unique health goals.
No. You should never stop taking a prescribed medication or change your dosage without first speaking with the healthcare professional who prescribed it. They can help you determine the safest approach for your situation.
If pain persists, continues to interfere with your daily activities, or keeps returning despite self-care, it’s a good idea to seek an appropriate evaluation to better understand the contributing factors and discuss your treatment options.
Explore a Conservative Path Forward
Living with ongoing pain can be physically and emotionally exhausting, and it's understandable to want relief as quickly as possible. While medications may play an important role in some treatment plans, many people are also looking for conservative, movement-based approaches that support long-term health and function.
At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, we focus on personalized care designed to improve movement, support nervous system function, and help you better understand the factors contributing to your discomfort. If you're ready to explore a proactive approach to your health, we're here to help.
Ready to take the next step? Get Started with Care today.
Get Started With Care
